Cal Fire brings safety tips to the table this holiday

Holiday fires can be prevented

Thanksgiving is an important time of the year for families and friends to come together. Whether you are gathering around the table to indulge in family recipes that have been passed down for generations, or you’re creating something new in the kitchen this year, Calfire has some kitchen safety tips to help you prevent accidental kitchen fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the holiday season sees a peak in home cooking fires. Data from 2017 to 2021 highlights unattended cooking as the primary cause of such fires and associated casualties. Each year, cooking fires cause hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and more than $1 billion in damages. California experienced over 60,600 cooking fires from 2017 to 2022, which equates to over 1,000 cooking fires per month in our state alone in a fiveyear period. Nearly 5,300 of those fires resulted in injuries, with 571 unfortunately resulting in fatalities.

Frying the turkey instead of baking it for hours, has become increasingly popular, but this should be done with the proper safety precautions, according to California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant.

“Cooking fires are preventable. Always use your device outdoors, have a fire extinguisher handy and never use water to put out a grease fire,” Berlant said. “It’s also important to remember when frying your turkey, fry on concrete, not grass, as any sparks on vegetation could cause a fire. Never leave your turkey unattended, regardless of where and how you choose to cook it,” he advised.

Following the proper safety precautions this holiday will help you and your family and friends enjoy a safe holiday.

Cooking Safety Tips:

•Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove and oven.

•Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking, or roasting; and use a timer to remind yourself that you’re cooking.