8 Safety Tips for Cooking on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a day to visit with your loved ones, eat great food, watch some football and then drift away into a food coma. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Thanksgiving, besides eating the food, is preparing it as a family together in the kitchen. As you spend the day cooking, it’s important to keep safety in mind. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire incidents almost double the average on Thanksgiving Day – and they begin in the kitchen. Here are some important tips to remember.

If there is heat in the kitchen, stay in the kitchen. Unattended food cooking on the stove is one of the most common culprits of a kitchen fire. Thanksgiving Day can be hectic. Resist the urge to be everywhere at once. Stay with the food, if you need to leave the room, call in backup.

Keep the kids out. Some people try to multi-task and cook while holding their child. This is a recipe for disaster. Not only are they putting themselves at a higher risk to get burned, but the child as well. If kids have to be in the kitchen, make sure they stay at least three feet away from any cooking appliance. Also, keep a first aid kit on hand, just in case.

Keep pot handles turned away. In a busy kitchen this small action can make a big difference. When pot handles are pointed outward, someone could accidently bump into them, seriously injuring themselves and possibly starting a fire.

Dress with cooking in mind. Loose fitting clothes are a hazard when worn while cooking and could catch fire unexpectedly. Pin back long hair and wear stable, close toed shoes.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Make sure everyone in the home knows how to use the fire extinguisher and that it has the appropriate UL listing.

Make sure you have a smoke alarm. Check to make sure you have working smoke alarms. Installing smoke alarms in your home can save you and your family, especially on Thanksgiving Day.

Protect your pets. Most pets love to hang out right under their owners’ feet, especially if they are cooking. Consider moving them to another part of the home to avoid the hustle and bustle in the kitchen.
 

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