Don't Burn The Bird: 4 Tips For a Fire Safe Thanksgiving

As families coast to coast gather round the dinner table to indulge in a delicious turkey with all the fixings, Americans have an awful lot to be grateful for. According to a recent poll, 4 in 10 say this is a year in which they’re especially appreciative for all the things they have, more so than during previous Thanksgivings.

However, for an unfortunate few, some will be expressing their gratitude at the fire station rather than at home, as Thanksgiving is one of the most common days for fire damage caused by cooking.

It’s estimated that three times as many home cooking fires happen on Thanksgiving versus other days of the year, according to data collected by the National Fire Protection Association. In fact, in 2013, there were 1,550 reported cooking fires in the country - a 230% increase above the typical number per day, many of them resulting inhomeowners insurance claims.

“A combination of factors collectively increase the risk of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving,” explained Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “People are often preparing multiple dishes with lots of guests and other distractions, which can make it all too easy to forget what’s on the stove. That’s when cooking mishaps are most likely to occur.”

To make sure that Thanksgiving 2015 isn’t marred by an incident where cooking went awry, make a mental note of the following safety tips:

Turn pot handles facing inward
Things can get crowded when there are too many cooks in the kitchen, especially when rambunctious children are running by. Be sure to turn the pot handles inward so that they aren’t dangling over the side of the stove, creating a fire hazard.

Don’t venture far from kitchen
The most common cause of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving is inattention. If you have to leave the kitchen for an extended period of time, make sure an adult is there to watch what’s cooking on the stove and baking in the oven.

Keep an eye on what you fry
Many families today like to expedite the cooking process by deep frying their turkey, as instead of several hours, the bird is fully cooked in a matter of minutes. However, deep fryers contain extremely hot cooking oil that can create a fire hazard if used indoors. Make sure you follow deep fryer cooking unit instructions to the letter, particularly its notice to only use these fryers outside, several feet removed from any standing structures.

Check fire alarms
Ideally, you checked to ensure that your home’s smoke detectors were working when the clocks were changed to account for the end of Daylight Saving Time. But if you didn’t, now’s the time. Ensure that these devices are in good working order and are properly installed. NFPA recommends that alarms be installed at least 10 feet awayfrom cooking appliances.

For more cooking safety recommendations, NFPA has a document available for download.

To update your homeowners or renters insurance policy,visit The Insurance Centers site. Or contact Zita Santos-Martinez at 732-832-4132.

Photo and article courtesy of Selective Insurance Group, Inc.