Firefighters remind people about increased fire risk over Thanksgiving holiday

The Tulsa Fire Department is partnering with Hillcrest Medical Center to remind the community about the increased risk of cooking-related fires and injuries during the holiday season.

 Thanksgiving consistently ranks as the number one day for home cooking fires in the United States, with national estimates ranging from 1,400 to 1,600 cooking fires in a single day, according to the National Fire Protection Association and the U. S. Fire Administration.

“In Tulsa, we typically respond to several house fires, CO calls, and even injuries each Thanksgiving,” said Tulsa Fire Department. “Most of these fires start when someone walks away from the stove. Staying in the kitchen is one of the simplest ways to prevent a tragedy.”

 TFD Stresses safe practices for those planning to fry a turkey this year. “If you’re frying a turkey, do it outside on level ground, at least 10 feet from the home, and make it’s completely thawed.”

 Firefighters also say to stay in the kitchen while cooking, unattended food is the leading cause of cooking fires and keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires.