MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires in the U.S., with more than three times the daily average of kitchen fires, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.
As families prepare home-cooked Thanksgiving meals this year, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) are reminding Tennesseans to be fire-safe in the kitchen.
Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires in Tennessee. In 2023, more than 18.54% of reported home structure fires in the state involved cooking equipment. These fires resulted in 27 civilian injuries, 7 firefighter injuries, and over $9.5 million in direct property damage, according to the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System.
By ensuring safety in the kitchen this year, Tennesseans can protect themselves and help keep firefighters safe.
“Every time firefighters respond to a home fire, they are putting their lives on the line in order to try and help save their neighbors,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell. “This year, I remind Tennesseans to take care while cooking in order to help reduce the risk of a home fires to themselves and to Tennessee’s firefighters, many of whom are volunteers.”
Here is a list of SFMO’s Thanksgiving fire safety cooking tips:
- Avoid distractions. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you have to leave the room, even for a moment, turn off the stove’s burners.
- Be mindful of your alcohol consumption while preparing food.
- Use a kitchen timer when boiling, simmering, baking, or roasting to remind yourself to check what you are cooking.
- Use caution with turkey fryers. The SFMO recommends that consumers always use oil-free models.
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors and kept a safe distance from homes, buildings and other flammable materials.
- Never leave a turkey fryer unattended. Most fryer units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat and could boil over, resulting in a fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours after use.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease or oil fire. Instead, put a lid over the flame, exit the home and call your local fire department by dialing 9-1-1.
- Make sure your home’s smoke alarms are working. Need working smoke alarms? Contact your local fire department and ask if they participate in our “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program.
