Fire Dept: Kitchen Fires Skyrocket During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner is all about tradition and over the past few years, a new tradition has been added to the Thanksgiving menu… Deep-frying your turkey.

But as many firefighters warn, that new tradition comes with a risk. The Lexington Fire Department said improper use of a turkey fryer could be deadly.

Although the risk of a possible fire is high when using a turkey fryer, it can be used safely, the fire department said.

They said when using a turkey fryer, make sure to cook it outside, never use a frozen turkey and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to a “T”.

If a fire does occur, don’t try to put it out with water. If you do, it could cause the fire to grow. Instead, use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

The fire extinguisher needs to be type A-B-C, Lexington Fire Department Firefighter and EMT Jessica Bowman said. But also make sure you can get to the extinguisher if a fire breaks out.

“The most important thing to know about using extinguishers in the kitchen is to make sure it is somewhere that it is accessible,” Bowman said. “A lot of people want to store them beneath their stove or in an area where if a fire did catch, they wouldn’t have access to it.”

She said the best place to keep an extinguisher is near a doorway.

The fire department said the holidays can get busy with festivities, but it is important to make sure to follow the directions and make sure you keep an eye on your food while it is cooking.

Beyond just turkey fryers, the National Fire Protection Agency said there are other precautions you can take in the kitchen to make sure you have a safe Thanksgiving:

• Turn pot and pan handles inwards.
• Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen.
• pay attention to your cook times
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Lexington Fire officials said if a fire does break out:

• Don’t use water; it could cause the fire to grow.
• On the stovetop, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is cooled.
• In the oven, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Lexington Fire officials said if the fire is too big or has gotten out of control, leave your home and call 9-1-1 immediately.