Don't Let A Cooking Fire Ruin Your Thanksgiving

11/20/2017 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it's a wonderful time to enjoy the company of others. Most of us will be sitting around dining room tables and feasting with family and loved ones. Some of us will spend time in the emergency room after a grease fire or some other cooking accident. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more cooking fires occur in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day of the year

Here are some stats and some tips.

Cooking fires by the numbers

Based on 2010-2014 annual averages:

• Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, causing 46% of home fires that resulted in 19% of the home fire deaths and 44% of the injuries.**
• Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
• Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions led to 18% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.
• Ranges or cooktops accounted for the majority (62%) of home cooking fire incidents.
• Unattended equipment was a factor in one-third (33%) of reported home cooking fires and half (49%) of the associated deaths..
• Frying dominates the cooking fire problem. (See how to put out grease fires and things you should know about frying turkeys below.)
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Steps to put out a grease fire:

1. Turn off source of heat (burner / element).
2. Do NOT pour water on it.
3. Attempt to remove all oxygen from the flame. You can cover with another pot, or baking pan.
4. If you can't cover it, dump baking soda (lots of it) on it.

If you suffer a fire damage event, please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401—even over the holiday. Refer to our Fire Damage Tips—Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.