For many, the kitchen is truly the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. It’s where family and friends come together to prepare flavorful dishes and cherished recipes that have been passed down through generations. But amid all the joy, laughter, and delicious aromas, distractions are inevitable. It’s no surprise, then, that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
In fact, each year, there are three to four times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day as on an average day. This annual spike is often due to multiple dishes being prepared at once, along with all the hustle and bustle that can make it easy to lose track of what’s cooking on the stove or in the oven.
According to recent data, fire departments in the United States respond to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires each year. These incidents result in roughly 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries, and more than $494 million in property damage.
To help keep you and your loved ones safe this Thanksgiving season, here are a few kitchen safety tips:
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and make sure everyone knows how to use it.
- Stay in the kitchen while grilling, frying, or broiling food. If you need to leave, even briefly, turn off the stove or oven.
- Keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, curtains) at least two feet away from heat sources.
- Avoid cooking if you’ve consumed alcohol or taken medication that causes drowsiness.
- Stand by your pan. If you step away, turn the burner off.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent accidental bumps or spills.
- Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to quickly smother flames if a fire starts.
- If you see smoke or grease starting to boil, turn off the burner immediately.
- When simmering, baking, or roasting, stay home and check your food regularly. Use a timer as a reminder.
- Avoid wearing long sleeves or loose clothing that could brush against a hot surface.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and oven.
Whether you’re cooking the feast or simply socializing in the kitchen, stay alert and keep safety top of mind to ensure your Thanksgiving doesn’t go up in flames. Until next time my friends, be prepared and stay safe!
From all of us at The Gerloff Company, we wish you and your family a warm, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Reference: US Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association
