IOWA CITY, Iowa — Thanksgiving is the leading holiday for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. With the three holidays so close together, the Iowa City Fire Department is reminding people to be extra cautious this time of year.
“There are simple steps that you can take for cooking safety, especially around the holidays,” Iowa City Fire Department Fire Marshal Axel Swanson said. “The first thing is staying in the kitchen while you’re cooking. Don’t walk away, not even for a minute. If you have to walk away, turn off the burner.”
Swanson says there are several things to keep in mind as you prepare for holiday meals.
“If a cooking fire starts, cover the pan with a lid if you can do so safely. Do not use water. Do not move the pan,” he said. “If you have a home fire extinguisher, that would be a good time to use it. But if you feel like you can’t handle that fire, call 911 and the fire department will come.”
He also emphasized keeping the kitchen clear of hazards. That includes keeping dish towels, oven mitts, paper towels and anything flammable away from open flames.
Swanson says distractions are another major cause of holiday fires.
“Avoid those distractions,” he said. “And when it comes to a turkey, never fry a frozen or partially frozen turkey. It can create a lot of splattering that can cause burn injuries, and it can definitely cause a fire if it reaches an open flame.”
Des Moines firefighter Ahman Douglass said that if you’re frying your turkey this year, make sure it’s set up safely and handled with extra care.
“Read the instructions on how to cook one of those turkeys. It clearly says to thaw this thing completely before you submerge it in oil,” Douglass said.
Douglass also added that you should always fry a turkey outdoors and keep it away from your deck, garage or house.
Around the house, the National Fire Protection Association recommends having carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home including outside of any sleeping areas. The same goes for smoke alarms but those need to be in the bedroom as well.
They also want to remind you to keep an eye on your kids and make sure they stay away from anything flammable or sharp.
Dining and Cooking