Thanksgiving 2017: Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

CHARLOTTE, NC— Millions of people will gather for Thanksgiving 2017 to enjoy time with loved ones and a delicious holiday dinner. No matter whether you're going for tradition or striking out in new directions, food-wise, Thanksgiving is the time when the ovens, burners, microwaves, grills and hot plates are all going strong.

That means Thanksgiving is also the leading day of the year for fires in homes because of cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Here are some tips from the Huntersville Fire Department to stay safe during this culinary holiday:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire -- oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your stove top.
• Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Plug microwave ovens or other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Check electrical cords for cracks, breaks or damage.

“We hope you have a fantastic & safe Thanksgiving!” Huntersville Fire Department said in a tweet. “We’ll be on duty if you need us.”

Thanksgiving is also prime time for rolling out turkey fryers, which when used properly, deliver up mouth-watering bird for your holiday feast. Fryers, however, come with obvious fire and burn hazards. The National Fire Protection Association discourages their use altogether.

If you do use a turkey fryer, fire officials offer the following tips:

• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Turn off flame when placing turkey into the pot.
• Use turkey fryers outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other combustible materials.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix; water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• Always follow manufacturers instructions on the set-up and use of the fryer.
• Inspect the propane tank and all associated tubes and connections to ensure there are no leaks of the flammable gas.
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.

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Patch Editor Cameron Luttrell contributed to this report.

Photo by Chinh Le Duc courtesy of Unsplash