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Thanksgiving top day for home cooking fires
By THAD JOSEPH, Staff Writer
Thanksgiving Day topped the charts as the peak day for home cooking fires in the United States in 2006 and 2007, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Those fires started from cooking equipment in more than 1,400 structural fires in both years. That figure is more than three times the daily average across the country.
Statistics show that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Each year, hundreds of people in the United States are killed in fires involving cooking equipment and thousands more are injured. Cooking fires are responsible for more than half a billion dollars in direct property damage to homes and their contents.
The association stresses several tips for safer cooking valid anytime of the year, but especially during the nonstop holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The NFPA’s top three tips are:
*Stand by your pan;
*No kids allowed; and,
*Keep it clean.
To honor the ‘stand by your pan’ edict, stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or, broiling food. If a cook must leave the kitchen for a short period, he or she must turn off the stove. While food is simmering, baking, or roasting, check it regularly and remain in the home while it is cooking. Setting a timer every so often is a good way to bring chefs back into the kitchen area on a regular basis to check on the cooking progress.
Although no one is proposing a “no kids allowed” policy in general, with the amount of people together on Thanksgiving, sometimes accidents can happen.
To avoid accidents, prohibit children from moving within 3 feet around the stove or any potential risk area. Those who have young children should always use the back burners of the stove whenever possible. Never hold a child while cooking.
Finally, keep it clean. Keep anything that can catch fire, such as potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, and even curtains and kitchen towels away from the stove top. It is important to clean all food spills and grease from the burner areas as soon as they happen.
Celina Fire Marshal Mark Metdker reminds all area residents to enjoy the holiday, but take special precautions while in the kitchen.
“We hope for a great holiday with no problems, but please remember that the Celina Fire Department is here to respond to any emergencies during the upcoming holidays. It is our desire that all Celina residents have a wonderful and safe holiday season. But, if there is an emergency of any type, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1,” Metdker said.
By following these few simple tips, everyone may join in to take this most joyous of family holidays off the top of the fire charts.
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