Red Cross urges Thanksgiving cooking safety to prevent kitchen fires

Thanksgiving is the most fire-prone day of the year, with home cooking fires reaching their peak as families prepare holiday meals. The American Red Cross urges residents to stay aware of fire risks while cooking this Thanksgiving. By staying focused and keeping distractions out of the kitchen, families can help ensure a safe and happy holiday.

“Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday, and we want everyone to celebrate it safely,” said Bridget Posson, Executive Director for the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “I urge all Nevadans to take extra precautions in the kitchen and ensure their smoke alarms are working. Together, we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and make this holiday season one to remember for all the right reasons.”

The National Fire Protection Association reports that more home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

In 2024, an estimated 1,800 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving nationwide, nearly a 400 percent increase above the average daily number of fires. Between 2018 and 2024, there was an annual average of nearly four times more cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day than on a typical day of the year.

“Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude and celebration, but it’s also a day when distractions in the kitchen can lead to devastating fires,” Posson said. “By staying attentive and following a few simple safety tips, we can all enjoy a safer holiday.”

The Red Cross offers these essential cooking safety tips
• Stay in the kitchen while cooking or frying food and check it regularly.
• Keep flammable items like dishtowels, bags and paper away from the stove.
• Ensure children and pets stay at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• If smoke or grease starts to boil, turn off the burner and carefully remove the pan using an oven mitt.
• Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby to smother a pan fire. Leave it covered until completely cooled.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent accidental spills.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Before going to bed or leaving home, double-check that all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

Turkey fryer safety
Deep frying a turkey on Thanksgiving significantly increases the risk of severe burns and fires, as turkey fryers use large amounts of oil at extremely high temperatures. Fire departments here in Nevada and across the country strongly advise against using a turkey fryer, recommending safer alternatives like purchasing a pre-fried turkey or using an oil-free fryer.

Deep-frying turkeys results in an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage each year.

Follow these safety tips when frying a turkey
• Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
• Never use a fryer inside or on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, or in a garage.
• Do not overfill a fryer.
• Never leave a fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil can remain hot for hours.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.