AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thanksgiving sees a spike in cooking-related fires, with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reporting that cooking fires on this holiday occur at three times the rate of any other day. In 2022, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported — a staggering 399% above the daily average.
To stay safe this Thanksgiving, the Austin Fire Department recommends the following precautions:
- Stay alert and attentive while cooking. Avoid over-consuming alcohol, which can cause drowsiness and delay reaction times.
- If a pan fire starts, use a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a tight-fitting lid to extinguish it. If the fire spreads beyond the pan, evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1.
- Keep cooking areas childproof and pet-proof by ensuring cords and hot pans are out of reach.
- Clear walkways in the kitchen to reduce tripping hazards.
- Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly.
Some tips to help avoid burning your turkey or your house:
- Don’t overfill your pot with oil. Overfilling your pot with oil can cause huge flare-ups, which causes a fire to start quickly.
- To see how much oil to fill in your pot, use water first without any gas to test it out.
- Thaw your turkey! Give your turkey time to thaw, preferably around 3 days.
- Make sure there is no moisture on the turkey and pat it dry with a paper towel before submerging it in oil.
- Make sure your fryer is away from buildings such as your house, or any other trees in the area.
- If a fire does occur, do not use water to put out a grease fire. Keep a fire extinguisher close by.
- Try not to leave your fryer unattended. If the oil gets too hot and no one is around, the oil could combust.
Need a smoke alarm?
AFD offers free smoke alarms to Austin homeowners. To request one, call the Free Smoke Alarm Hotline at 512-974-0299. Leave your name, address, and phone number, and AFD will schedule a free installation.
