Household Fires Increase on Thanksgiving Day – Safety Tips From SERVPRO®

11/1/2024 (Permalink)

Turkey Fryers are Dangerous to Operate

Fires started by cooking are the leading cause of household fires and the second leading cause of fatalities. On Thanksgiving Day, we see more house fires than any other day of the year. The increase is a staggering, almost 300% spike.

With large gatherings, running children, and multiple conversations occurring at the same time, it’s easy to lose track of what’s cooking on the stove or in the oven. What’s worse, is that small fires resulting from unattended food catching fire can spread rapidly, leading a chaotic situation, and panic.

If you’re thinking of trying to reduce the fire risk by using a deep fryer on an outdoor patio, think again. Turkey fryers are considered dangerous to operate, especially those that use oil. Your bird might explode, hot oil can splatter flammable materials in the area, or the whole thing might fall or get knocked over during the process.

Some Commonsense Tips to Minimize the Chance of a Fire on Thanksgiving 

• Do not leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop
• Avoid putting your turkey in the oven and then leaving the house for any reason
• Check your turkey and other dishes cooking in the oven on regular intervals
• Use a timer to keep track of cooking times
• Keep dishtowels, rags, or other flammable items away from your cooking area
• Dress accordingly - avoid loose sleeves, neckties, or other hanging fabrics
• Keep lids or covers close at hand while cooking and pot handles turned inward
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the cooking area
• Use fire safe trivets or hot pads before placing hot dishes on countertops
• Check smoke alarms for functionality before you start, and have an extinguisher close by