Cooking Safety is the Tur-”key” to a Happy Thanksgiving

Nothing beats the smell of a turkey roasting in the oven, fresh pumpkin pie on the counter, and delectable mashed potatoes coated in butter. But this special day can get put on hold if the fire department has to swoop in to put out the flames of a burning turkey. Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for all the people and things that we value in our lives.  But just like any other holiday, it’s important to celebrate it safely. 

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires, and they occur most often on Thanksgiving. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving is three times as high as on any other day of the year.

Don’t be a part of this statistic. Follow our top cooking safety tips to protect your home and loved ones while you prepare your Thanksgiving feast:

• Before Thanksgiving day, ensure your smoke alarms are working. You should check your alarms monthly. 
• Before even starting the holiday cooking, make sure all surfaces are clean. Remove food and grease buildup from the burners, stovetop, and oven with fire-safe cleaning products.
• Keep anything flammable, such as loose clothing, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, dish towels, or curtains, away from your stovetop. If you have long hair, tie it back.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking. If you must leave for any reason, turn off the stove. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Take extra precautions if using a turkey fryer. Only use it outdoors while on a sturdy surface, keeping it away from things that can burn.
• Not all fires should be handled in the same way. Depending on what kind of fire it is, there are different methods to extinguish it safely.
  • If there’s a fire in the oven or microwave, turn off the appliance and keep the door closed. The lack of oxygen will cause the fire to die out.
  • Never pour water on a grease fire – keep a flame-resistant pot lid nearby to smother any flames, or pour baking soda on it, if it’s small and manageable.
  • As a last resort, spray the fire with a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher. If you don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher, remember PASS: pull the pin, aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire, squeeze to discharge the extinguishing agent, and sweep the nozzle from side to side until the fire is gone.
• If you feel that putting out the fire yourself is unrealistic or dangerous, call 911.

We want you to enjoy a delicious, flame-free Thanksgiving holiday meal. Rockingham Insurance is here to help you celebrate safely. To learn more about how to protect your home, kitchen, and family, contact a local Rockingham Insurance agent today.