Food is a big part of holiday fun, but festivities can take your attention away from cooking and lead to fires. More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year! 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, for each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 2,300 residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day.

Research shows the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day is more than double the average number of fires in such buildings on all other days. 74 percent of those holiday fires are related to cooking! Christmas Day and Christmas Eve rank second and third for the daily average for cooking fires. Unattended cooking is especially dangerous.

Before you bake, broil, grill, sear, or deep fry that turkey, AAA Members Insurance Agency of Western and Central New York, Inc. offers these tips for fireproof feasts: 

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top, so you can keep an eye on the food. Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Plan television time, video chats, chores and other activities outside of meal preparation time to limit distractions.  
• Everyone loves hanging out in the kitchen – which can lead to bumps, spills and other injuries, especially when kids are involved. To minimize accidents and divert traffic, put snacks, games and toys in another room. Keep children away from the stove.
• Grills should only be used outdoors.
• If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, step away from cooking and designate a “driver” to take the lead.
• Keep dishtowels, oven mitts, paper products and other flammable materials away from heat.
• Smother grease fires with a metal lid or baking soda. Never use water and make sure to turn off the heat first. If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed. 
• Make sure smoke alarms are working. Have a fully functional fire extinguisher handy for emergencies. Call 911 for help if a fire occurs.

Play it safe this season and make sure your home is protected. For more information about home or renters insurance, call your AAA insurance agent, speak with an agent by calling (888) 671-7044, stop by your local branch, or visit:

AAA Insurance