FASNY: Cooking safety tips for busiest day of year for home fires

Thanksgiving is peak day for home cooking fires, with more than 3 times daily average for such incidents

Firefighter’s Association of the State of New York Press Release

As New Yorkers get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, the Firefighter’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) reminds all to have a happy but safe holiday, which starts in the kitchen. 

Once again, New York is at the top of the list of fire deaths in the U.S. Coming in at third, there have been a total of 102 fire deaths this year (as of Nov. 13), according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Pennsylvania and California are leading with 115 and 107, respectively.

Ahead of America’s favorite cooking holiday, FASNY would like to highlight certain situations that New Yorkers need to be cautious of and share some essential safety tips to ensure the holiday is memorable for the right reasons. 

According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Unattended cooking is, by far, the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. With families gathering in one home for the holiday, it can create extra distraction from the kitchen.

“New Yorkers should be able to enjoy their Thanksgiving with loved ones safely and comfortably,” FASNY President Eugene Perry said. “FASNY asks that all residents follow some simple steps and precautions to ensure all family, friends, and Thanksgiving turkeys are kept safe this holiday season.”

Although most people look forward to a delicious turkey, deep-frying a frozen turkey is one of the most dangerous dishes to attempt. Turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in cooking oil at high temperatures pose a significant danger of hot oil being released or spilled during the plunge, leading to devastating burns, other injuries and property destruction.

In addition, the NFPA lists the following common factors in home cooking fires and ways to avoid them:

•Unattended cooking – the leading cause of fires in the kitchen: Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove. If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind yourself. Guests, phones, children, pets and other activities can easily distract a cook.

•Objects near the cooking catching fire: Clothing ignitions are common in-home cooking fire deaths. It is important to wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves, as loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners or gas flames and catch fire. Keep the cooking area clean, and combustible materials away from your stovetop. Built-up grease, as well as oven mitts, food packaging, wooden utensils, towels, curtains and other materials on or near the stove can catch fire.

•Cooking equipment unintentionally turned on or not turned off: Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop. Check the stove regularly during holidays, with many others in the house, to ensure kids have not turned the stove on. 

•Hot cooking oil exposed to water or outdoor elements: If rain or snow strikes hot cooking oil in turkey fryers designed for outdoor use, the result can be a splattering of the hot oil or a conversion of the precipitation to steam, which can lead to burns. Frozen and defrosting turkeys also create the risk of contact between water and hot cooking oil, which can cause severe scalding or other serious injury. 

FASNY’s tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this time of year:

In the case of a fire:

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

√ Have an exit plan and common rendezvous point.

√ Call 911 or the local emergency number after you leave.

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

If a grease fire does occur, do not use water to put it out. Use an appropriate fire extinguisher, baking soda or salt. Keep a tight 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.

More about FASNY

Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the approximately 90,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.