Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts fire officials are urging residents to practice safety tips while cooking this Thanksgiving.
“There are about twice as many fires on Thanksgiving as on the next-closest day, and almost all of them start with unsafe cooking,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine in a statement. “Don’t let a fire ruin this special day with your family and loved ones."
According to the Department of Fire Services, there were 705 Thanksgiving-related residential fires from 2019 - 2023. Last year, there were 130 reported fires. That's up by more than 25% from the year before, and the vast majority happened in homes. Additionally, these fires injured two people, including a firefighter, and caused $1.3 million in reported damages.
Here are some kitchen safety tips from the Department of Fire Services:
- Check to make sure smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms are working.
- Keep cooking areas clean: wipe up grease spills, put away groceries, food packaging, towels, and other flammable materials from the stovetop
- Create a three-foot child-free zone around the stove
- Make sure ovens are empty before turning it on.
- Be vigilant during cooking: stay by your pan, set a timer if you are stepping away, and wear clothing with short or tight-fitting sleeves.
In an event of a fire, here are some tips to contain the spread:
- Cover the pan with a lid or cookie sheet to smother the flames.
- For a fire in the oven or microwave, leave the door closed, turn off the appliance, and call 9-1-1.
- If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll to put out the flames. Put burns in cool running water for 10-15 minutes. Call 9-1-1 for help.
For more information, contact your local fire department or the Department of Fire Services’ Thanksgiving web page.
For more, Ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio.