Thanksgiving is recognized as the day with the highest number of home cooking fires in the United States. As residents prepare for holiday gatherings, the James City County Fire Department is reminding the public to prioritize safety in the kitchen.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that over 1,400 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day each year across the country, with unattended cooking identified as the main cause.
The NFPA offers several key recommendations to help prevent kitchen fires during Thanksgiving celebrations. These include staying in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop and remaining at home when preparing a turkey, checking it regularly. The organization also advises keeping children and pets at least three feet away from stoves and hot foods or liquids, and ensuring that flammable items such as oven mitts and towels are kept clear of cooking surfaces.
Homeowners are urged to test their smoke alarms by pressing the test button and to replace them every ten years. The use of oil-based turkey fryers indoors or on wooden decks is discouraged; instead, residents are encouraged to consider oil-less fryers or purchasing pre-cooked turkeys from local retailers.
In case a grease fire occurs in a pan, officials recommend sliding a cookie sheet over the pan and turning off the burner, leaving it covered until it cools completely. Water should never be used to extinguish grease fires. If there is any uncertainty about handling a fire, people should evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1, closing doors behind them to help contain flames.
Additional fire safety information can be found on the NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org/thanksgiving.
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