Have a Safer Thanksgiving with These Fire Prevention Tips

11/25/2021 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving Day home fires cause more property damage and claim more lives than home fires on other days.

Thanksgiving Day is one of our most important celebrations, but did you know that it’s also the leading day for home cooking fires? We all know that on that big day, the kitchen becomes the heart of many homes, and that’s why it’s so important to be extra careful when cooking all those delicious extras.

Thanksgiving fire safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen even for a few minutes, turn off the stove.
• Alcohol and cooking don’t mix!
• Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing and roll up your sleeves when cooking.
• Keep flammable things, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, your clothing, or food packaging, away from the stovetop.
• Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for extra prevention.
• Keep matches and utility lighters up high in a locked cabinet and out of the reach of children.
• Use battery-operated candles instead of real candles. Become familiar with candle fire safety tips.

In the event of a cooking fire:

• If it’s an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• For a stovetop fire, put a lid on it and turn off the elements. 
• If the fire is out of control, get everyone out of the house and close the door behind you to help contain it.
• If you try using the fire extinguisher, make sure others are getting out and that you have a clear path out of the home.