Thanksgiving is the number one day of the year across the U.S. for home-cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
In Mississippi alone, unattended cooking has been the main cause of six fire deaths this year after the state saw seven in 2023. As a result, the Mississippi Insurance Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office have released a list of tips for residents planning to cook during the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves that could catch fire.
- If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible.
- Turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots will be knocked over.
- Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires or pan and pot fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
“Many people have family and friends over for the holiday,” State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney said. “Don’t let distractions put you and your guests in danger. Make your home safer by installing multiple smoke alarms. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short amount of time, turn off the stove.”
Chaney’s office also advises families to have a plan ready in case of a cooking-related fire by following these guidelines:
- Get out of the house. When leaving, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 911 after you leave the house.
- Create an escape plan with multiple exits that all family members know and set a meeting place outside.
With a significant portion of Mississippi’s population getting ready to pull out the turkey fryer for Thanksgiving, Chaney’s office provided the following advice:
- Most fryers should be used outdoors and placed at a safe distance away from buildings or any flammable materials.
- Some turkey fryers are designed for indoor use. If you use one of these, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- Never use a fryer in a garage or on a wooden deck.
- Make sure fryers are used on a flat service to reduce accidental tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Thaw turkeys 24 hours for every four to five pounds.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
- If using a propane fryer, use a hose at least six feet long to distance the propane tank from the fryer’s flame.
