According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,160 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2021, reflecting a 297% increase over the daily average.
As we gear up for gatherings and delicious feasts, the Indianola Fire Department encourages community members to enjoy a fire-safe holiday and to keep these 10 tips from the NFPA in mind:
10 Tips To Enjoy A Fire-Safe Thanksgiving
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children – up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don't trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
Furthermore, both the NFPA and IFD strongly discourage the use of turkey fryers, which use large amounts of oil at high temperatures and can cause devastating burns and property damage. If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, purchase it from a grocery store or restaurant, or buy a fryer that does not use oil.
Have a happy, fire-safe Thanksgiving, Indianola!