The celebration of Thanksgiving is very important to many people in this country; it is one of the most delicious holidays because of the food served, but it can also become dangerous.
It is estimated that on that day, in 2023, 1,446 cooking-related home fires were recorded in the United States, representing a 388% increase over the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third for the year in terms of cooking-related home fires.
“Thanksgiving is a busy holiday, with multiple dishes cooking and baking simultaneously. Also, with guests, gatherings and other distractions, it’s easy to lose track of what is cooking, said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at the NFPA.
“With all these factors at play, it’s no surprise that we see a drastic and sustained rise in cooking-related home fires during Thanksgiving,” she added.
On average annually between 2019 and 2023, cooking was the cause of the majority of cooking-related home fires in the United States during Thanksgiving (80%) and of 40% of civilian injuries; no civilian fatalities were reported.
In general, cooking is the leading cause of fires and injuries in American homes and the second leading cause of deaths from home fires. Cooking without supervision is the main contributing factor to kitchen fires and deaths from fire.
“Staying attentive to what is cooking and minimizing distractions can substantially reduce the risk of fires in the kitchen,” Carli said.
“Although these preventive measures may seem simple, they can truly help ensure that everyone enjoys a fire-free holiday.”
NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, as they can cause serious burns. As a safe alternative, they recommend buying a fried turkey from a supermarket or restaurant, or purchasing a fryer that does not use oil.
Tips and recommendations to help everyone cook safely on Thanksgiving:
- Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stove. Some types of cooking, especially those involving frying or sautéing with oil, require constant attention.
- When cooking a turkey, stay home and check it regularly.
- Use timers to control cooking times, especially for foods that require long cooking times.
- Keep flammable objects, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels, at least one meter away from the cooking area.
- Avoid wearing long sleeves and dangling fabrics that could come into contact with a heat source.
- Always cook with a lid near the pan. If a small grease fire occurs, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan and then turn off the heat. Do not remove the lid, as the fire could reignite.
- In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Open the door only when you are sure the fire is completely out, staying to the side while doing so. If you have any doubt or concern, contact the firefighters for help.
- Keep children and pets at least one meter away from the stove and from areas where hot foods or drinks are being prepared or transported. Place hot foods and liquids away from the edges of the table and countertops.
