Thanksgiving Fire & Cooking Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and great food—but it’s also one of the leading days for home fires in the U.S. Between deep fryers, crowded kitchens, and unattended cooking, accidents can happen in seconds.
To keep your celebration joyful (and safe), follow these Thanksgiving fire and cooking safety tips to protect your home, family, and guests.

1. Stay in the Kitchen When Cooking

Unattended cooking is the number one cause of kitchen fires. Whether you’re roasting a turkey, frying, or baking pies—never leave cooking food unattended.

Quick Safety Reminders:

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling.

• If you need to step away, turn off the stove.

• Use a timer as a reminder for dishes cooking in the oven.

Tip: Assign someone as the “kitchen safety watcher” to keep an eye on cooking while others entertain guests.

2. Keep Flammable Items Away

Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from your stove or oven. That includes dish towels, oven mitts, paper products, and decorations.

Safety Zone Checklist:

• Clear countertops of clutter.

• Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent spills.

• Avoid wearing loose sleeves while cooking.

3. Deep-Frying a Turkey? Do It Outside!

Deep-fried turkeys are delicious—but extremely dangerous if done incorrectly.
Each year, fire departments respond to hundreds of fryer-related fires, causing injuries and property damage.

Safe Frying Tips:

• Only use approved turkey fryers outdoors, on a flat, non-wood surface.

• Thaw turkey completely and pat dry before frying.

• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away.

• Never overfill the oil.

• Always have a fire extinguisher nearby (Class K for grease fires).

Never use water to put out a grease fire—it can cause the flames to spread instantly.

4. Test Smoke Alarms Before Cooking

Before the big day, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. A few seconds of testing can save lives.

Safety Checks:

• Test alarms and replace batteries if needed.

• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible in the kitchen.

• Ensure everyone in the home knows the fire escape plan.

5. Keep Kids and Pets Away from Hot Surfaces

The holiday hustle can make it easy to overlook little ones wandering near the kitchen.
Set a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around stoves, ovens, and fryers.

Pro Safety Tip:

Use back burners whenever possible and keep hot food and liquids away from table edges.

6. Be Ready to Act Quickly

If a small fire starts:

• Turn off the heat immediately.

• Cover the pan with a lid to smother flames.

• Never move the pan—you could spread the fire.

• If the fire spreads or you feel unsafe, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Conclusion: Celebrate Safely This Thanksgiving

The best holiday memories come from shared laughter—not fire alarms. By staying alert, keeping safety gear close, and following these cooking precautions, you can enjoy a worry-free Thanksgiving with family and friends.

At Basin Safety, we’re committed to helping families and workplaces stay safe year-round through fire safety training and emergency preparedness programs.

🔥 Make safety part of your holiday tradition.
Contact Basin Safety today to schedule a Fire Safety Training session or learn more about our Emergency Response Programs.