National Fire Protection Association urges extra caution when preparing Thanksgiving feast

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As Thanksgiving nears, the National Fire Protection Association urges added caution when preparing holiday feasts.

According to safety experts, Thanksgiving Day represents the leading day of the year for home cooking fires.

NFPA data shows that cooking was the leading cause of reported home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second-leading cause of civilian fire deaths and direct property damage, on annual average between 2015-2019.

On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2019, reflecting a 228 percent increase over the daily average.

Following are tips and recommendations from NFPA to help people cook safely this Thanksgiving:

• Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop.  Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
• When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
• Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
• Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
•  Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again.  Let the pan cool for a long time.  Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.  Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do.  If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
• Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. Kids should also stay away from hot foods and liquids, as steam or splash from these items could cause severe burns.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause burns.

For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.