Harrisburg, PA – As we approach the busy Thanksgiving holiday, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) are reminding all Pennsylvanians to plan and prepare now to have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. With the risk for kitchen fires and fryer accidents rising during this time of year, making a safety plan is just as important as having the meal plan for the feast.
Thanksgiving and the broader holiday season bring joy and gathering, but also some heightened risks in the home. I urge Pennsylvanians to understand the increased hazards that exist throughout the holidays and practice safety in all that they do. The best holiday memories are the ones where everyone spends valuable time with friends and family and not those resulting from a tragic event that could have been prevented.
— PEMA Director Randy Padfield
According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking was the leading cause of home fires and injuries during the five year period between 2019-2023. Home cooking fires peak on holidays. The NFPA estimates that on Thanksgiving Day there are roughly three times the number of cooking fires compared to a typical day. Deep-frying a turkey presents special hazards. The NFPA reports that deep fryer fires cause an average of 5 deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year in the U.S.
“Fire safety is foundational to keeping your home and your loved ones safe during holiday cooking and throughout the year,” said State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “Whether you’re frying or roasting a turkey, never underestimate how quickly a fire can start or spread. Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and a clear escape plan are essential ingredients for a successful holiday meal.”
If you’re cooking in your kitchen this year, Commissioner Cook recommends the following safety tips:
- Never leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven. Unattended cooking remains a top contributor to home cooking fires.
- Keep flammable objects such as oven mitts, towels, packaging away from the stovetop or open flames.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas to avoid spills and burns.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they’re not accidentally knocked off the stove.
- Don’t let electric cords hang over the edge of the counter where a child or pet could pull on them and get hurt.
- Keep an eye on pots and pans and turn off all burners if you need to leave the kitchen.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets, extension cords, and power strips with coffee makers, slow cookers, and warming trays.
- Don’t use outdoor cooking appliances like grills indoors as they can start fires or release carbon monoxide gas into the home.
If you’re frying a turkey, there are some extra considerations to keep safe:
- Only use a turkey fryer outdoors, on a flat, level surface, and keep it at least 10 feet or more from your home and other structures.
- Never use a turkey fryer indoors, including inside a garage, on a deck connected to the home, or under eaves or near combustible materials.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dried before placing it into hot oil. A partially frozen turkey can cause oil to spill or splash, triggering a fire.
- Do not overfill the fryer pot. To measure properly, add the turkey and fill with water first to mark the safe fill level, then dry the turkey and replace with oil before igniting the burner.
- Monitor the oil’s temperature, and if the oil begins to smoke, turn it off.
Regardless of how you plan to cook the meal, everyone should follow these general fire safety tips:
- Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and test the batteries.
- Have at least one fully charged fire extinguisher readily accessible and know how to use it.
- An “ABC” fire extinguisher is best for kitchen and cooking fires.
- Follow the PASS acronym for use: PULL the pin, AIM at the base of the fire, SQUEEZE the trigger, and SWEEP the stream from side to side.
- Do not pour water on grease and oil fires, keep a lid handy to cover the pan if a fire starts.
- Develop a fire escape plan with at least two exits from each room, agree on a meeting place outside, and make sure all guests know the plan.
Finally, Director Padfield offers the following holiday preparedness tips:
- Whether you’re traveling or hosting, know your plans in advance.
- Monitor the weather forecast and adjust your travel plans to allow time to safely travel to your destination.
- Have an emergency kit ready in your home and in your vehicle.
- Share your itinerary with family or friends if you’ll be on the road.
- If an emergency happens, get to safety first and then call or text 911. You can dial or text 911 in every county in Pennsylvania.
This holiday season, please take a moment to pause and ensure your safety plan is in place before the plates hit the table. It only takes a few minutes to test a smoke alarm, check the fire extinguisher, review your escape route, and plan a safe way to cook the feast.
To learn more about making your home a safer home, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and home sprinkler systems, visit the Ready PA Safer Home website.
You can make a difference in your community today. Learn how to volunteer with your local fire department.