3 Important Tips to Prevent Thanksgiving Day Fires

View of Wilmington North Carolina from across the river

The countdown to turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie has begun! While the holiday is all about giving thanks and spending a day with family, Thanksgiving Day is also the pinnacle of home-cooking fires, accounting for three times as many fires as any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Prevent any turkey day disasters by following these important safety tips!

Unattended Food

Leaving food unattended while it was cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving cooking fires, according to the NFPA. Of course, you will want to visit with your guests during this holiday, but it’s far more important to pay attention to what’s cooking in the oven or on the stovetop. If you want to chat with your guests, invite them into the kitchen with you. You can also assign guests to bring an item for the meal. Giving your undivided attention to one dish at a time will help to keep food from burning and starting fires.

Risky Fryers

While turkey fryers are a popular cooking tool for Thanksgiving, the NFPA discourages their use due to their risk of causing devastating burns and property damage. If you cannot find local grocery stores, specialty food retailers or restaurants that sell deep fried turkeys, take extra precautions like positioning the fryer away from the house and on even ground, completely thawing and drying the turkey first, keeping children and pets away, and having a fire extinguisher nearby.

Fire Hazards

Easily flammable items like loose clothing, potholders, wooden utensils, towels, and food packaging need to be far away from burners and the oven to reduce the chances of starting a kitchen fire. Always keep a lid nearby so if a pan catches on fire, you can quickly slide the lid over it to contain and stifle the flame.

Keeping fire safety top of mind during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. By following a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire. And that’s something you can be thankful for!