Home Cooking Fire Risk Peaks on Thanksgiving Day

11/15/2023 (Permalink)

With the holiday season approaching, home cooking is gearing up, but this surge in culinary activities also brings an increased risk of cooking fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that cooking fires account for almost half (49%) of all home fires. To ensure your holidays don't go up in smoke, it's crucial to be familiar with and practice safe cooking habits.

Thanksgiving stands out as the leading day for home cooking fires, surpassing the daily average for such incidents by more than three times, according to the NFPA. To prevent cooking fires, the NFPA recommends these basic safety measures:

1. Maintain a clean cooking area and keep flammable items (dish towels, oven mitts, packaging) at least three feet away from cooking equipment.
2. Stay vigilant while cooking, using a timer to monitor foods with longer cooking times.
3. Recognize that the primary cause of cooking fires and fire-related deaths is unattended cooking, so be present in or near the kitchen at all times while cooking.

For those opting for a turkey fryer on Thanksgiving, it's important to note that over two-thirds of home cooking fires begin with the ignition of cooking materials, including food, fat, and grease. The NFPA strongly advises against using these fryers due to their use of large amounts of oil at high temperatures. If you choose to use one, carefully follow all placement, usage, and safety instructions.

In case the unexpected occurs, SERVPRO of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, S. Nocatee & World Golf Village specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services. They excel in mitigating damage and ensuring that the aftermath is "Like it never even happened" for both commercial and residential customers. For more information or to schedule a free estimate, contact their office at 904-429-4457!