If You Can't Stand the Heat. . .

Not to be a debbie downer, but according to the National Fire Protection Association, "Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires." They have been proclaiming this on their website since at least 2006 (prior to that it appears that they warned of cooking fires in general during the holidays). The U.S. Fire Administration has some interesting facts posted on their website regarding home cooking fires. These facts were gleaned from a co-sponsored study with the NFPA. Highlights of the list are:

• Males face a disproportionate risk of cooking fire injury relative to the amount of cooking they do.


• Unattended cooking is the single leading factor contributing to cooking fires.


• Many other cooking fires begin because combustibles are too close to cooking heat sources.


• More than half of the home cooking injuries occur when people try to fight the fire themselves.

Thanksgiving is still a week away so hopefully, you can follow some of these tips to prevent a home cooking fire and injuries. The NFPA has a handy printable sheet of tips for home cooking fire safety. And this helpful one page document on Thanksgiving Safety Procedures:

The Home Safety Council also has a convenient list of ways to prevent fires and fire injuries. Most of the fire safety tips are pretty common sense.

• Watch food at all times when you're cooking.


• Don't leave the house if you've got something in the oven or simmering.


• Don't cook when you're drowsy.


• Wear clothes that are close fitting so they don't accidentally ignite.


• Remove any combustible items from around the stove (eg: don't leave oven mitts near any burners).


• Keep your cooking area clean. Do not let grease build up on the range top, toaster oven or in the oven.


• Keep a lid handy to slide over a pan to smother a fire that might start.

If you know what kind of fire you're dealing with, you can try to stop it (bearing in mind that more injuries occur when people try to fight the fires).

Grease Fires:

• Should you have a grease fire on your stove top, smother the fire by sliding a lid over the pan and turn off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until the pan cools completely (opening the pan to check on it allows oxygen in which can re-ignite the fire).


• Never put water on a grease fire or use a multipurpose fire extinguisher on a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire.


• Never attempt to carry a flaming pan across the kitchen.

Oven Fires:

• Turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.


• Never open the door until the fire is completely out (allowing oxygen in can re-ignite the fire).

Microwave Fires:

• If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed.


• If you can safely reach the outlet unplug the microwave oven.


• Never open the door until the fire is completely out (allowing oxygen in can re-ignite the fire).


• Have the microwave oven checked and/or serviced before being used again.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of cooking fire information. While we are not experts on fire safety, we have tried to compile some of the basic information here and provide you with sources (NFPA, The U.S. Fire Administration and the Home Safety Council) that can further your research into this topic. Remember, the most important advice regarding fighting kitchen fires is, When in doubt, just get out! Close the door behind you and call the fire department from outside.

We here at the library hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!