Fire Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

5 min read

With Thanksgiving approaching, the season for family, friends, and feasts has come upon us once again. For many families, this means spending more time in the kitchen, from baking the perfect turkey or the most delicious pies to entertaining guests.

Unfortunately, the holiday season is also when cooking fires and fire damage become more common. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an average of 2,300 residential building fires were reported on Thanksgiving Day for each year from 2017 to 2019. These incidents resulted in an average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and up to $26 million in property loss.

With the kitchen and house often crowded during these occasions, prioritizing fire safety is critical. Following these tips as you prepare for your dinner can help you enjoy a safe and enjoyable evening with your family and friends.

Always Begin With a Clean Kitchen

When oil or grease on a stovetop gets hot enough to ignite, it can catch fire and spread quickly if not handled properly. This is why removing any buildup of grease and food on your stovetop, burners, and oven is a must before you start cooking. Doing so helps reduce the risks of a grease fire and allows you to enjoy a worry-free cooking experience in your kitchen.

Keeping potholders, dish towels, and napkins away from cooking equipment is another good idea. Long-sleeved shirts and loose accessories can also become a fire hazard, so it’s best to remove them and switch to short-sleeved tops.

Never Entertain Distractions When Cooking

According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is among the leading causes of residential fire damage in the U.S. With this, one straightforward way to keep your home and loved ones safe is to always keep an eye on what you’re cooking.

Staying in the kitchen, setting a timer, and frequently checking on the food are also smart practices. If you must step away from the kitchen to entertain guests, it’s best to turn the burner off or ask someone else to watch the stove for you.

Keep Children Away From Stoves, Matches, Lighters, and Candles

It’s recommended that children be kept at least 3 feet away from stoves in use to prevent fires and keep them safe from burns. Oil splatters, steam, and hot liquid can cause serious harm.

Besides keeping your little ones away from your kitchen in the middle of your cooking run, keeping lighters, matches, and candles out of their reach is also essential. Your best bet is to store flammable materials in high cabinets.

Place Candles in a Safe and Secure Space

If you enjoy creating the perfect mood and ambiance for your Thanksgiving dinner, decorating with your favorite candles might be on your to-do list. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting a warm glow inside your home, it helps to remember that they are still potential fire hazards.

For a safe and hassle-free celebration, make sure to keep your candles away from flammable items like drapes and curtains. Putting them out every time you leave the room also helps. If possible, consider using battery-operated candles instead of real ones, especially if you have kids or pets running around.

Test Your Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are instrumental in detecting a fire inside your home early, allowing you to react before the situation escalates. This is why it’s crucial to test them at least once a month, especially before the Thanksgiving cooking season rolls in. Replacing your batteries once a year also helps ensure the alarms will do their job properly should there be a fire in your home.

Have Your Fire Extinguisher and Evacuation Plan Ready

While nobody readily anticipates a fire, there’s no harm in preparing for it. Having a household fire extinguisher accessible, in particular, can spell all the difference in case heated grease or a toppled candle bursts into flames.

In the same way, it’s also a good idea to prepare a fire evacuation plan and educate family members on what to do in case of a fire. These fire safety steps can help you and your loved ones move out safely in the event of a property blaze.

For Professional Fire Restoration and Smoke Damage Cleanup, Contact Restoration 1

As you start organizing your family occasions and preparing your holiday menu, remember that the activities can increase the risks of a property fire. Following the practical Thanksgiving fire safety tips above is key to having a wonderful time with your loved ones and keeping everyone safe.

If you’ve experienced fire damage, Restoration 1 of Kansas City is here for you. We offer the most efficient and caring fire restoration solutions to return your home to a stable, safe, and welcoming space. Contact us for round-the-clock support!