News Room

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nov. 25, 2015 – Thanksgiving Day brings a number of hazards that we may not normally see in our everyday routines. In fact, Thanksgiving is the most dangerous time for cooking fires, with three times as many reported as in an average day. According to claim statistics, S.C. is among the top 10 states for Thanksgiving Day fires.

“Being cautious and using your cooking appliances as directed will go a long way towards helping avoid losses and keep your family safe this holiday season,” said Russ Dubisky, executive director of the South Carolina Insurance News Service.

Here are some safety tips for indoor cooking:

• Remain in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Unattended cooking is by far the leading factor in kitchen fires.

• If you must leave home for even a short time, turn off the stove or oven.

• Whether simmering, baking, boiling or roasting food, check it regularly. Use a timer to remind you the stove or oven is on.

• Keep things that burn – including pot holders, oven mitts, paper or plastic, away from the stove.

• Check the inside of the oven before you turn it on. Don’t store things that can burn in an oven, microwave or toaster oven.

• Clean food and grease off burners, stovetops and ovens.

• Wear clothing with sleeves that are short, close fitting or tightly rolled up.

• Use the stove’s back burners when possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot contents will be knocked over.

If you’re frying a turkey, keep these tips in mind:

• Always fry turkeys outside, away from any structure and on a hard, flat surface, preferably on concrete. Never cook on a wooden porch or deck, as the wood can catch fire if oil spills. Never cook in a garage, breezeway or carport.

• Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before putting it into the oil.

• Allow the oil to thoroughly cool before emptying. Hot oil can take 3 to 4 hours to cool to room temperature.

• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.

If you have a cooking fire:

• Use a lid – kept nearby -- to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

• If you try to fight the fire, make sure others get out and you have a clear way out. Remember, three of every five people hurt in cooking fires were injured when they tried to put the fire out themselves.

• When in doubt, just get out! Close the door behind you to contain the fire.

• Call 911 after you get outside.

For more information from the S.C. Insurance News Service, or to schedule an interview, call (803)252-3455.

For over 35 years, the South Carolina Insurance News Service has been providing free insurance information to consumers and the media about property and casualty insurance issues.

For more information, contact the South Carolina Insurance News Service at 803-252-3455 or use our contact form.