Ask a Fireman: How to Keep Turkey Day Safe | Guest speakers

Home fires are the most serious natural disaster threat to families in the United States, and cooking is a leading cause. The approaching holidays usually mean you’ll be spending more time in the kitchen preparing meals and treats for family and friends. Cooking a turkey isn’t as easy as toasting bread or microwaving a frozen dinner. With that in mind, it won’t be that much of a surprise to learn that one day, when many Americans are cooking a big meal, including turkey, there will be more cooking fires than on any other day of the year. As you begin preparing your vacation schedule and organizing your Thanksgiving feast, make kitchen fire safety a priority. Following a few simple safety tips will allow you to enjoy time with your loved ones and protect you and your family from fire.

The National Fire Protection Association released a report on Thanksgiving kitchen fires. The NFPA reported that Thanksgiving has historically been the peak day for the number of cooking fires reported in the United States. In fact, there were more than three times as many fires on Thanksgiving Day compared to a typical day of the year. On Thanksgiving Day in 2019 alone, nearly 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments, a 228 percent increase over the daily average.

Unattended cooking is a major contributor to cooking fires and fire-related deaths. Additionally, nearly half of these fires are caused by faulty kitchen equipment, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, which advises you to “stand near the pan” and “watch what you’re frying.” While cooking, stay in the kitchen to keep an eye on your food and turn pot handles toward the stove to prevent pots from accidentally falling over. You should also keep a lid or baking sheet nearby to cover the pan in case it catches fire.

Local firefighters recommend that you maintain a “child-free zone” in your kitchen while you’re cooking. Make them stay at least 3 feet away from the stove. This is important because it’s not just the stove that’s hot. Cooked food, hot gravy, steaming vegetables and hot drinks can also cause serious burns.

Anyone involved in food preparation should not wear loose clothing or drooping sleeves while preparing food. Clothing on fire is responsible for 18 percent of cooking deaths. Two-thirds of home kitchen fires are caused by food or other cooking materials catching fire. Keep anything that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper bags, food packaging, towels and curtains, away from the stove, oven or any other kitchen appliance that produces heat. It’s also a good idea to check your kitchen before going to bed or leaving the house to make sure you’ve turned off all stoves, ovens and small appliances.

In their ongoing efforts to keep you safe and prevent small fires from becoming larger fires, local firefighters strongly advise you to purchase a fire extinguisher and keep one in your kitchen. If you are not familiar with the proper use of a fire extinguisher, we recommend that you contact your local fire department for training. Firefighters also advise that you install smoke alarms near the kitchen, on every level of the home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms. Be sure to use the test button to test it every month and replace all batteries twice a year.

For more information about kitchen fire safety, visit www.redcross.org and take the “Fire Safety Quiz” or download the “Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist.” NFPA also offers a guide with ideas for what different age groups can do in the kitchen while preparing for holiday meals. “Kids in the Kitchen” is a short video that can be downloaded from www.nfpa.org.

This column was written by Jane Perkins, a fire specialist with the Southern Firefighters League of Rhode Island and a former captain with the Watch Hill Fire Department. If you would like to see a question answered in this column, email her at [email protected].