Red Cross warns Thanksgiving is a peak day for cooking fires – follow these tips to prevent disaster

Don’t be a turkey.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires can become three times more likely than the daily average on Thanksgiving.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries,” said American Red Cross regional disaster officer Jonathan Seibert.

“Most of it happens because people leave cooking unattended. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so please do not leave the kitchen while you are cooking.

How to Cook Safely on Thanksgiving

The Red Cross strongly encourages home cooks to always stay in the kitchen or cooking area with something on the stove, pan or oven. If you must leave, turn off the heat source. The NFPA reported that unattended cooking is “by far” the leading cause of fire deaths.

In addition, the Red Cross recommends not wearing hanging clothes and keeping children and pets at least three meters away from where you are cooking.

It’s also important to protect pot holders, oven mitts and wooden utensils while cooking, as they can catch fire.

Other items such as food bags – paper or plastic – along with food packaging, towels or curtains can also easily start a fire. The NFPA also warns that loose items on a floor, such as toys, bags or trash, can also cause fires if they get stuck around heat sources.

Keeping cooking surfaces clean and grease-free is another essential step, as is double-checking everything that closes at the end of the evening after dessert is served.

The organization warns that keeping an active smoke alarm in the kitchen and testing it before large meals is also essential. Firefighters suggest changing the batteries twice a year with the clock in your home to ensure smoke alarms work when needed.

Is it safe to fry a turkey?

The NFPA classifies turkey fryers that use cooking oil as “unsafe.”

“These fryers use large amounts of oil at high temperatures, which can cause devastating burns,” the organization warns.

“If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, get it from a grocery store, restaurant, or buy a pan that doesn’t use oil.”

The Red Cross also states that fully thawed turkeys should always and only be fried outside and at least 10 feet from a house or similar structure.

Winners should be left on a flat surface; it is also important to check that they are not overfilled.