Home cooking fires peak on Thanksgiving Day

  • Published
  • By Fire Prevention Office
  • 14th Civil Engineer Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  As Americans prepare Thanksgiving meals, it is imperative that they keep safety in mind since cooking fires are more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. The incidence of home cooking fires is roughly three times the daily average on Thanksgiving.

National Fire Protection Association studies show cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Hundreds of Americans are killed each year due to home cooking fires and thousands more are injured. Cooking fires also cause roughly half a billion dollars in direct property damage to the homes and the belongings inside.

It can be easy to get wrapped up in entertaining guests, but it is important to remember to stay in the kitchen and monitor meal preparation closely as most cooking fires start because cooking has been left unattended.

People may look to vary the traditional turkey entrée by using a turkey fryer, but due to the unique fire and injury hazards associated with this specific piece of equipment, National Fire Protection Association recommends against their use.

The deep-frying cooking process requires that up to five gallons of oil be heated before placing the turkey into the device. Tests have shown that a number of available turkey fryer devices are not sturdy and can easily tip over, allowing hot oil to spill, creating a serious risk of fire or scald burn from contact. There also have been reports of turkey fryers overheating, which can also lead to hot oil spilling or splattering outside the fryer, which is again a recipe for dangerous fires, serious injuries, and property loss.

If having fried turkey is a must this Thanksgiving, National Fire Protection Association recommends that consumers turn to commercial sources where professionals will prepare their entrée with a safety and skill unlikely to be matched at home. Some supermarkets and restaurants accept orders for fried turkeys during the holiday season.