With Thanksgiving Thursday, many people around Alaska will be working to cook holiday meals for their family and friends. The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Fire Administration urges everyone to stay safe this holiday season and remember to use caution while cooking your holiday meal. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, more than three times the cooking fires on any other day nationwide.
“The only thing worse than burning your turkey on Thanksgiving is burning down your home.” said Acting State Fire Marshal Lloyd Nakano. “It’s easy to get distracted by friends or football or get busy with other preparations. Pay attention to what is going on in your kitchen this Thanksgiving.”
- Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from the cooking area.
- Be careful of long loose clothing that can come in contact with heat sources.
- Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner until the pan is completely cool.
- Never throw water on a cooking fire.
- Never leave open flames unattended while cooking.
- Don’t use the stove, stovetop, grill, or other cooking methods if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
Be extra cautious when using Turkey fryers, as the unsafe use of them can lead to severe burns, injuries, and fires. Some grocery stores, food retailers, and restaurants often sell deep-fried turkeys, which can serve as a safe alternative to frying one at home. If you choose to deep fry your bird this year, be sure to follow the cooking instructions closely, always keep your deep fryer outside, never leave it unattended, and keep a class B fire extinguisher nearby.
For additional information on cooking safety, visit the U.S. Fire Administration: Cooking fire safety outreach materials (fema.gov)