As many people prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, the Richmond Department of Fire & Emergency Services would like to remind everyone to be careful in the kitchen. Each year roughly 3,000 people die as a result of home fires and burns, with an additional 200,000 individuals seen in the nation’s emergency rooms for burn injuries. Statistics show that cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires nationally and are more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. You should be mindful of kitchen safety throughout the year, not just Thanksgiving, so here are some great tips to remember:
- Always use cooking equipment that is tested and approved by a recognized testing facility such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
- Because turkey fryers pose a number of distinct concerns, including burns and fire hazards, UL does not certify any turkey fryers. If a family decides they must use a turkey fryer this Thanksgiving, we urge them to be extremely cautious. Read and follow the operational instructions fully.
- Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended (not even for just a minute) and keep a close eye on food inside the oven as well.
- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (potholders, towels, rags, drapes, and food packaging). Keep pets clear to prevent them from knocking things onto burners.
- Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free-zone” of three feet (1 meter) around the stove whether they are in your arms or not.
