According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the leading day for U.S. home cooking fires and fire insurance claims.
What is the #1 reason? Distraction. Many Thanksgiving Day fires occur because the cook gets distracted. It’s important to keep watch over anything you are cooking, especially if it involves fire/flames. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:
NFPA Safety tips
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
Sources:
http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Thanksgiving-safety
https://www.forward.bank/forward-insurance_fire-claims-thanksgiving/
