The kitchen is the hub of excitement during the holiday season. It’s where families gather to cook their favorite meals and reconnect over new recipes. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day with everyone taking part in the preparations.
Thanksgiving Day is a busy day for firefighters and remains the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving then on a typical day. Unattended cooking is by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and associated fire deaths.
By following these few simple safety tips, you can keep yourself and family safe in the kitchen:
- 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.
- Maintain a 3 feet “Kid Free Zone” around the stove.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, or bags.
- Consider using flameless candles as a safe alternative to candles.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
Media Contact: Randy Smith, Deputy Fire Marshal | Phone: (217) 403-7212