From Sizzle to Fizzle: Preventing Kitchen Fires on Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is synonymous with food. The turkey holiday is full of celebrations, get-togethers, and kitchens crammed with people baking, frying, and boiling enormous shared meals.

In all of this chaos, a single mistake could lead to a dangerous kitchen fire. By taking careful, proactive steps, you can prevent your holiday from transforming from a fun celebration to a catastrophic loss. It might sound dramatic, but we see it every year. Kitchen fires over Thanksgiving holiday are a real threat.

Common Causes of Kitchen Fires

The kitchen is a bustling hub of activity on Thanksgiving Day. It is also the most common location for a house fire to break out during these celebrations. Before you can prepare to prevent or put out these fires, it is helpful to understand the most common causes. Fires primarily happen due to human error, although there are other circumstances that can contribute to the risks. The following represent the most common causes of kitchen fires on Thanksgiving.

Unattended Food

By far, the most common cause for kitchen fires is leaving food unattended while cooking. This is especially common when it comes to grease fires that break out in hot pans on the stove.

When you walk away from cooking food—even momentarily—you can easily forget that it was there. Leaving the food to cook too long can cause it to overheat in the pan and eventually to catch fire. The worst-case scenario in these situations is not only leaving cooking food unattended, but to get busy with another task or even fall asleep elsewhere in the house.

Frying With Oil

Hot oil is the number one threat of fire in the kitchen. This is true even when you are not leaving your food unattended. When you fry using hot oil or other combustible material like grease or fat, the contents of the pan can catch fire if they get too hot.

Not only does an oil fire burn hot, but it spreads quickly and can be difficult to put out. The oil will continue to burn if it is thrown from the pan, further spreading the fire throughout the kitchen. Further complicating matters is the fact that pouring water on these fires will only make it worse.

Any time you are cooking with oil, you should:

• Use the minimum amount of oil necessary
• Do not overheat the pan
• Add the food to the pan gently so the oil does not splash
• Clean oil from nearby surfaces to prevent a fire.

Cooking at Unsafe Temperatures

While cooking on high heat is necessary for many dishes, there are times when these high temperatures can increase the risk of a fire. Oil can combust at high temperatures, and the fire can quickly spread throughout the house.

Inappropriate Clothing

You might be surprised how often kitchen fires occur due to the ignition of clothes worn by the cook. These fires not only can lead to property damage but could result in fatal injuries in some cases. Loose-fitting or billowy clothing is more likely to catch fire while cooking.

The type of material you are wearing can also impact the severity of the injuries. Cotton will catch fire quickly, but it can also be put out with water. While polyester will not burn, it can melt onto your skin, causing severe injuries. To avoid this outcome, wear short-sleeved, form-fitting clothes and fire-retardant aprons.

Flammable Substances Near Open Flames

Kitchens are home to numerous items that are combustible when exposed to an open flame. From towels to cookbooks, the number of fabric or paper items in a kitchen is difficult to keep track of. When you leave these items near a lit burner or an open flame, a fire can break out in a matter or seconds.

The Unique Risks of Frying a Turkey

On top of the standard fire risks that come with cooking every day, Thanksgiving is known for an unusual culinary tradition that is responsible for numerous house fires each year: frying a whole turkey. Frying a turkey is popular, as it results in a satisfying exterior and a juicy interior. While there are culinary benefits that come with this approach, there are also substantial safety risks to think about.

There are a few reasons why frying a turkey is risky. Not only are the chances for a fire higher than most other methods of cooking, but these incidents are also more likely to lead to catastrophic losses.

There are several factors that make frying a turkey particularly dangerous. They include the following:

• Even a small amount of oil spilling into the fire can create a flame up
• Overfilled oil vats can spill and cause a fire when the turkey is inserted
• Ice crystals from frozen turkeys can cause oil to bubble and overflow
• Turkey fryers are often top-heavy and can easily be tipped over
• Overheated oil can combust

While there are increased risks that come with this cooking method, you can fry a turkey safely by taking certain precautions. Never overfill the fryer, as oil spilling out is the most common cause of fires. Always use a fryer outdoors, as the risk of fire dramatically increases when cooking occurs on flammable surfaces like carpets.

It is crucial to make certain a turkey is fully thawed before dipping it into the oil. Frozen turkeys are covered with ice crystals that will cause the oil to bubble and overflow. Other important safety tips include:

• Keep children and pets away from hot oil
• Never fry a turkey on a wooden deck or structure
• Wear long sleeves and safety goggles to avoid injuries
• Always fry turkeys on a level surface
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby

Fighting a grease fire caused by a turkey frying accident is difficult. As soon as a fire breaks out, call 911 as soon as possible to get the help you need to deal with the fire.

Fire Safety Before You Cook

Kitchen fire safety starts long before you crack the first egg or light the first burner. Before you start preparing the Thanksgiving meal, you can first prepare your kitchen with fire safety in mind. Careful preparation ahead of time can help prevent accidental fires or ensure they are put out before any real damage occurs.

The first step you can take for the purposes of fire safety is having a fire extinguisher nearby. In addition to being easily accessible, it is important to ensure that they are still in good working order given that they can expire over time. You are best of investing in a multipurpose extinguisher that is rated for electrical and grease fires just to be sure your kitchen is protected.

The next step is to inspect your appliances, starting with your stove. If you notice any grease buildup, be sure to clean in thoroughly. This will greatly reduce the risk of a fire. When it comes to plug-in appliances, it is important to check the wiring to make sure they are not frayed or cut. Taking the necessary precautions can help you avoid a fire during the holidays.

Creating a Fire Escape Plan (And Remembering It)

No one wants to deal with a house fire, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, being prepared for the worst can provide you with a chance to escape the situation with your family healthy and intact. One of the best ways to do that is to have a fire escape plan in place.

While the primary safety goal is to avoid fires entirely, creating a plan for what to do when there is a fire can save lives when things go wrong. The first step in this process is identifying escape routes from every room in the house. This should take into account routes for at least two exits from the home in case the front door is blocked by fire.

Once the routes are established, it is important to practice them with your family. Fire drills are particularly helpful in houses with young children, as they are more likely to absorb this information by walking the routes themselves. Make it a fun activity with the kids! Making a plan a priority is one of the ways you can avoid the worst-case scenario in a fire.

Smoke Alarms are the First Line of Defense

A big part of cooking safety during Thanksgiving involves recognizing the risks of a fire and addressing it immediately. This is best done by having working smoke alarms throughout the premises. These small devices provide early warning of a fire by loudly beeping when smoke is detected. Having these alarms installed might be the difference between a minor grease fire and the total destruction of your home.

Fire alarms are low maintenance. They typically operate on battery power, and changing these batteries is usually only necessary every few years. Where these devices are placed is also crucial. An alarm should be placed on every level of the home. It is also important to install them inside each bedroom in order to warn people of a fire while they are asleep.

What to do Following a Kitchen Fire

Dealing with a kitchen fire can be traumatic, even in the best of circumstances. This is especially true when they occur during the holidays. When fires break out, the steps you take can impact the extent of the damage to your home. The following steps can help you address a fire and limit the extent of the loss.

• Call the Fire Department. Dial 911 as soon as a fire breaks out in your kitchen. Even if you believe you can handle it on your own, there are situations where fires can flare up again. What’s more, putting out kitchen fires can be challenging since many involve grease or other combustible liquids.
• Open Windows. Once you have dealt with the immediate threat of the fire, open up the windows throughout the house. This will allow smoke and other odors to dissipate.
• Remove Salvageable Items. In many cases, there will be items in your kitchen that can be salvaged. You have the opportunity to pick out those items and save them before debris is cleared from your home.
• Rely on Cleanup Experts. Cleaning up in the aftermath of a fire should be left to the professionals. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, there may also be water remediation to deal with. Improperly cleaning this mess can lead to lingering smoke and potential mold issues.

Holiday Fire Safety Outside of the Kitchen

While kitchen fires are a major hazard during the holidays, there are other risks to keep in mind as well. The kitchen might be the epicenter of activity, but injuries and property damage can occur far from the stovetop or oven. Some of these incidents can still involve fires, like when candles, flammable decorations, or faulty electrical lighting lead to a fire.

In addition to fires, there are countless other injuries that could be prevented by taking care of the premises. Trip and fall hazards like loose extension cords or missing handrails should be addressed long before guests arrive.

Speak with an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney About Your Accidental Injury Case, If Needed

Taking these steps can give you the best possible chance to avoid a fire during Thanksgiving. While most families will make it through the holidays without experiencing a catastrophic loss, the unfortunate reality is that these fires can happen. Whether you are dealing with an overheated skillet or an overflowing vat of grease, a fire can quickly spread and damage extensive parts of your home.

At Mabra Law, our Atlanta personal injury attorney team is here to help you pick up the pieces. If you suffered burns, or other serious injuries, in a fire through no fault of your own, now is the time to speak with our attorneys. We have years of experience advocating for the injured, and we look forward to doing the same for you. Contact us today for your free consultation.