Fire Claims Double On Thanksgiving Day

Last updated on Thursday, November 24, 2016

(UNDATED) - According to State Farm Data, the number of cooking fire claims double on Thanksgiving Day compared to the rest of the month.

To keep your holiday a happy one, by following the follow safety tips:

Cooking in the Kitchen Safety Tips

The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It's important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
If you need to leave the stove, even for a second, turn off the stove.
Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Keep anything that can catch fire -- oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains -- away from your stovetop.
Make sure you have working smoke alarms. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.

Cooking with Oil (NFPA)

Oil or fat is a key ingredient found in the majority of today's kitchens. Whether a recipe calls for frying or sautéing, we include oil in almost all of our daily cooking. When using any of the many oils to prepare your meals like olive, canola, corn or soybean, consider the following safety tips when cooking:

Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
If the fire does not go out or you don't feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.

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