Cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day; simple steps can prevent tragedy.

COLUMBUS – As families across Ohio prepare to gather for Thanksgiving this week, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is urging Ohioans to keep fire and cooking safety front and center both on Thursday and throughout the upcoming holiday season.

Thanksgiving continues to be the leading day for home cooking fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires occur annually on Thanksgiving Day, which is a 388% increase over the daily average. In Ohio alone last year, fire departments responded to more than 350 fires during the week of Thanksgiving, including 66 that were related to cooking.

“Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time when distractions in the kitchen can quickly turn fun gatherings into dangerous situations. We unfortunately see this happen every year across the state,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “We want all Ohioans to enjoy a safe, happy and memorable holiday by staying alert and following basic safety tips that, while they seem simple, can really make all the difference.”

To help minimize the risk of cooking fires and other safety hazards this holiday, the Division offers the following tips:

– Never leave cooking food unattended. Always remain in the general location where food is being cooked. If you have to step away for a moment, ask a guest or family member to stay in the kitchen so they can keep an eye on things. In addition, use timers to remind yourself of food that may be on the stove or in the oven.

– Keep flammable materials away from heat sources. Paper towels, napkins and other combustibles should be stored safely away from heat sources, such as stoves, air and oil fryers, and grills.

– Use caution with turkey fryers. Only utilize turkey fryers outdoors on flat surfaces and away from structures. Turkey fryers should not be used inside garages or on/near decks. Always follow the provided instructions and make sure to use the appropriate amount of oil to avoid overflows, which can cause dangerous and intense fires. The appropriate level of oil can be determined by first placing your turkey in the cold pot, then filling the pot with water until the water covers the top of the turkey. Once you remove your turkey, the remaining water level indicates how high you will want to fill the pot with oil when it’s time to fry the turkey.

– Turn pot handles inward. Prevent accidents by keeping pot handles out of reach from children and away from the edge of the stove where someone might bump into them.

– Have a fire extinguisher ready. In addition to having an extinguisher on hand, make sure you understand how to use it if needed. If a fire becomes unmanageable, evacuate your home immediately and call 911.

– Keep kids and pets away from cooking areas. Ensure young children and pets maintain a safe distance of at least three feet from indoor and outdoor cooking areas, especially when they’re playing.

– Use this as a teachable moment. Consider how you can involve your children in the cooking process while also teaching them how to do so safely.

Additional holiday cooking safety tips can be found at com.ohio.gov/HolidayCookingTips.

Before friends and family arrive for the holidays, Ohioans are encouraged to test their smoke alarms and replace the batteries, if needed. Working smoke alarms give residents of a structure critical extra time to escape in the event of a fire and can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.

“Smoke alarms are your first line of defense,” Reardon said. “Make sure they’re working and that everyone in your home knows what to do in case of a fire.”