Thanksgiving - Peak Day for Home Fires
Holiday Cooking Safety tips
Now is the time of year for families and friends to gather in the kitchen to celebrate the holidays. But it is also a season to remain vigilant about the dangers of cooking fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home. The number one cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. The NFPA data shows that Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires.
In 2017, State Farm® paid more than $130 million for nearly 2,700 cooking/grease fire homeowner's claims. Illinois ranked #5, paying just over $6.8 million on 117 claims for an average payout of just over $58,000 per claim.
Georgia, Alabama, New York and Maryland came in ahead of Illinois, while Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and North Carolina rounded out the top ten states.
State Farm wants you and your family to be careful and enjoy a safe holiday season with these cooking safety tips.
- Keep a lid beside the pan when cooking. If a fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never throw water on a kitchen fire.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, etc.
- Keep a fire extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
- If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Don't forget to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
- Cook outdoors on a flat level surface with a cleared radius of at least 10 feet. Don't use a turkey fryer on wooden structures, such as decks or patios.
- Be attentive when cooking and never leave the fryer unattended.
- Size matters. Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.