Firefighters across the country face their busiest days of the year on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. While families gather for grand feasts, the risks for fire hazards while cooking increase dramatically.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal reminds Hoosiers to use caution when cooking, especially during the holidays, and help ensure annual family events are not marred by danger or tragedy.
“For most Hoosiers, the holidays mean spending time with loved ones and enjoying a home-cooked meal,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson. “Make safety a priority by practicing caution when preparing the holiday meal.”
Stay in the kitchen while cooking food. Turn off the stove if it is necessary to leave the kitchen.
Move items that could catch fire, such as oven mitts, utensils, towels and food packages, away from the stovetop.
Never operate a stovetop or stove when drowsy or after consuming alcohol.
Deep-fried turkey is a popular Thanksgiving tradition that unfortunately leads to many home fires and injuries. Greeson suggests buying a deep-fried turkey from a restaurant instead of preparing one at home. However, Hoosiers who choose to cook one themselves should keep some safety tips in mind.
Don’t overfill the fryer with oil. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to use. Click here to watch a video about deep frying dangers.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before placing it in the fryer. A partially frozen turkey can cause a fiery reaction.
Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls, and the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
Kitchen fires are a year-round risk, so it is always important to have a fire extinguisher and working smoke alarms. During the holiday season, it is especially important to have these helpful tools if Hoosiers plan to cook a large or small holiday meal.
Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
Alarms should be placed no closer than 10 feet from a stove, as everyday cooking may be a trigger.
If the fire is too large to address safely, evacuate the home and call 911.