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Thanksgiving Day tops in cooking-related fires

  • Published
  • By Ryan Russell
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  According to the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires that involve cooking equipment with more than 4,000 fires occurring nationwide, double the amount compared to an average day. Also, the NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers due to a high risk for tipping over, overheating, and spilling oil which can cause burns, property destruction, or a fire. Below are tips that will help you and your family have a safe Thanksgiving.

Home Fire Safety Tips:
· Install smoke alarms, preferably in each room; Test to ensure functionality and replace defective batteries as needed.
· Never leave food unattended while cooking. Always remain in kitchen when using the stovetop.
· Do not leave home with the turkey still cooking in oven.
· When baking, set both an alarm and timer to remind you when it's ready to come out of the oven.
· Keep kitchen floor and walkways clear of clutter in case of a fire.
· Keep potholders and food wrappers at least 3 feet away from heat sources while cooking.
· Always be cautious of lit candles in home and never leave home unattended with lit candles inside.
· Wear tighter fitting clothes with shorter sleeves to prevent fabric ignition while cooking.
Home Kitchen Safety Tips:
· Keep children away from stove, oven, deep fryer, kitchen appliances, knives, matches and utility lighters.
· Keep children away from hot food and liquids as hot steam or splash can cause serious burns.
· Wash hands before preparing all side dishes.
· Wash hands after handling raw meat; keep raw meat away from other food.
· Exercise caution when using kitchen knives and near hot surfaces.
Turkey Deep Fryer Safety Tips:
· Always use turkey fryers outdoors and on solid level surfaces to prevent accidentally tipping it over.
· Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks, underneath patio covers, inside garages or inside an enclosed space.
· Do not overfill the turkey fryer; oil can spill out, hit the burner or flames and cause a fire to engulf the entire unit.
· Never leave the turkey fryer unattended; without thermostat controls, oil can continue to heat until it catches fire.
· Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times, as oil can remain hot for hours.
· Always wear safety goggles and long sleeves to protect from hot oil splatter; use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the lid and handles.
· Ensure turkey is completely thawed before placing into fryer; partially frozen turkeys placed into a fryer can cause a spillover effect and result in an extensive fire.
· Always keep an all-purpose or Class K fire extinguisher nearby in case of a grease fire.
· Never use water to extinguish a grease fire; if the fire is unmanageable, dial 911 immediately.