2025 Thanksgiving Kitchen/Cooking Safety

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The Virginia Department of Fire Programs has shared some safety tips for the upcoming holiday:

During Thanksgiving, the kitchen is a place to be creative and cook meals to bring the family together. However, cooking is the main cause of home fire and fire injuries.

You can reduce your chance of starting or having a cooking/kitchen fire by following a few simple safety tips.

  • Always remain in the kitchen when cooking: Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires according to the NFPA.

  • Keep the kitchen counter free from clutter: Many kitchen materials are flammable such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, and excess food packaging.

  • Unplug or turn off your appliances when not in use: You should also clean off leftover dust, food crumbs, and grease after use.

  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove -- that way no one can bump them or pull them over.

  • Keep a lid or baking sheet nearby: Use it to cover a pan if it catches on fire.

If a Fire Starts:

  • Turn off the heat and, if it is an oven fire, keep the door closed. Do not try to move the pot to avoid spilling the oil on yourself or other people.

  • Extinguish the fire. You should cover the pan with a metal lid or baking pan. If that doesn’t work, use a Class B dry chemical extinguisher, Don’t use water.

  • Get out. If you cannot extinguish a fire within 8–10 seconds, immediately leave the house. Close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

  • Call 911 and do not go back inside.