Thanksgiving fire safety tips

Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving as any other day of the year. In 2010, there were 1,370 fires on Thanksgiving, a 219 percent increase over the daily average.

Home cooking fires peak on major U.S. holidays that traditionally include cooking, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and Easter

By recognizing the risks of the holidays and making simple adjustments, people can greatly reduce their chance of home cooking fires.

The NFPA recommends the following safety tips:

1. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2. When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

3. Stay alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don't use the stove or stovetop.

4. Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from the stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire…

1. Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

2. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

3. If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear path out of the home, and that someone has called the fire department.

4. Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

5. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.