Set up your Thanksgiving kitchen for fewer burns and fires

A holiday kitchen may start the day with one cook and end up with people carrying plates, children looking for snacks, a dog waiting for dropped food and several burners in use. The simplest way to prevent accidents is to decide which parts of the room will be used for cooking and which will be used for everything else. Put drinks or snacks in a different room, especially if the usual serving spot puts guests behind the cook.

Establish a hot side and a cool side

Choose one clear spot for roasting pans coming out of the oven. Put heat-resistant pads there early so nobody has to cross a crowded room carrying a hot dish. Set aside a separate counter or table for plates, garnishes and other tasks children can help with. The National Fire Protection Association recommends keeping children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and from places where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried. Explain that boundary to guests as they arrive so they can help enforce it.

When cooks trade places, say which burner is on and what the timer means. If frying or cooking on the stovetop, stay with the pan. Set a separate timer for a long oven task, and stay home while the turkey cooks. Pull towels, packaging and other flammable materials away from the stove. Check smoke alarms before the gathering, when you still have time to address a problem.

Agree on when to get out

The fire association advises keeping a lid near the pan. If a small grease fire starts and you can act safely, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Keep the pan covered while it cools. Never pour water on burning oil. If the fire spreads or you feel unsafe, leave and call 911 from outside. A host can also make it easier to exit by keeping the kitchen path and exterior doors clear. When the meal is over, ask one person to check that burners and ovens are off before cleanup begins.

What Georgia law says

Georgia’s smoke detector law, O.C.G.A. § 25-2-40, requires an approved listed smoke detector in dwellings built since July 1, 1987, and an approved battery-operated detector kept in good working order in older dwellings. Detectors belong near the corridor or access to sleeping areas, and multi-story homes need one on each story, including basements. If you rent, tell your landlord in writing about a missing or failed detector. Whoever owns the home, test the alarms before the holiday rush. This is general information about Georgia law, not legal advice for a particular situation.

Source: National Fire Protection Association.

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Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Results may vary depending on the specific facts and circumstances of your case.