GREENSBORO, N.C. — Thanksgiving isn’t just a time for family and feasts—it’s also the most dangerous day of the year for cooking-related home fires. Data shows Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days for such incidents in the United States. Cooking is responsible for an average of 158,400 home fires annually, making up 44% of all house fires nationwide.
The American Red Cross North Carolina Region is urging families to take precautions while preparing their Thanksgiving meals to ensure everyone stays safe.
“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Sharonne Hayes, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross North Carolina Region. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. This holiday, we want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable time with their loved ones, so it’s a good time to remind people not to leave the kitchen while you’re cooking and to play it safe.”
The organization recommends simple safety steps like keeping a close eye on food while cooking, keeping flammable items away from stoves and ovens, and ensuring smoke alarms are functioning properly.
By taking these precautions, families can focus on celebrating with loved ones rather than dealing with a holiday disaster. For more safety tips, visit the American Red Cross website or reach out to your local chapter.
Cooking Safety Tips
Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for cooking-related home fires. Follow these tips to stay safe while preparing your feast:
- Stay in the Kitchen: Always stay nearby when frying, grilling, or broiling. If you need to leave, turn off the stove.
- Use Timers: Set a timer to remind yourself when food is cooking.
- Dress Safely: Avoid loose clothing or dangling sleeves while near open flames or stovetops.
- Keep Cooking Areas Clear: Maintain a three-foot safety zone around stoves and ovens, especially for kids and pets.
- Prevent Flammable Hazards: Keep flammable objects like oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels away from heat sources.
- Clean Regularly: Grease buildup can ignite—keep surfaces clean.
- Be Prepared: Consider having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and ensure smoke alarms are working.
- Final Checks: Before going to bed or leaving home, double-check that all appliances are off.
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including fire escape plans you can practice with your family.
Cold Weather Heating Tips
With colder temperatures expected in many regions, heating equipment can also pose risks. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) highlights that space heaters are often responsible for home heating fires. Here’s how to stay warm safely:
- Space Heater Precautions: Always place space heaters on flat, nonflammable surfaces like tile floors and keep them away from rugs, carpets, bedding, and curtains.
- Direct Plug-Ins: Plug heaters directly into outlets, not extension cords, and turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Keep a Safe Distance: Ensure kids, pets, and flammable materials stay at least three feet from heaters.
- Avoid Improvised Heating: Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
- Fireplace Safety: Never leave fires unattended. Use a screen to contain embers and extinguish them fully before going to bed or leaving.
- Annual Inspections: Have heating systems like furnaces, chimneys, and stoves inspected annually by professionals.
By following these tips, you can ensure a warm, safe, and happy Thanksgiving celebration. For more safety information, visit the Red Cross or NFPA websites.
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