IHS: Thanksgiving Ranks As No. 1 Day Of The Year When Home Fires Occur

Unattended cooking is the most common contributing factor.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – Did you know Thanksgiving Day ranks as the number one day of the year when home cooking fires occur.

Indiana Homeland Security and the National Fire Protection Association are reminding Hoosiers how to stay safe while cooking this holiday season.

Cooking Safety Tips:

  • Stay in the kitchen while cooking food on the stovetop, and stay at home while food is in the oven. Unattended cooking is the most common contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths (NFPA).
  • Remove items from the stovetop that could catch fire such as oven mitts, utensils, towels and food packages.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove to avoid burns from the appliance or spilled food.
  • Deep fryers should always be used outdoors at a safe distance from buildings, porches and any other flammable materials.
  • Never leave the fryer unattended.
  • If the meat is not completely thawed before being cooked in a fryer, a grease fire could occur.
  • Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and never use water to douse a grease fire.
  • If a fire is too large to address safely, evacuate the home and call 911.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports more than 200 turkey-fryer incidents have occurred in the last two decades (1998-2018), resulting in almost $10 million in property loss.

For more information, visit Get Prepared: Thanksgiving.

More from Local News

Events

NWS: Air Quality Advisory Issued, Severe Weather Possible Today

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will push toward Cincinnati this morning

Batesville School Update Cell Phone Policy

The new rules are effective at the start of the 2026-27 school year

South Dearborn Grad Earns Academic Award at Warner University

The award honors men’s college basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the previous season

Registration Open for Whiskey City 5K

The event happens September 5 in Lawrenceburg.

2026 HS Football Broadcast Schedule Release

The action starts on Friday, August 21

On Air

Eagle Country 99.3 playing
Gretchen Wilson - Redneck Woman - EAGLE ONLY

Zac Brown Band Colder Weather 10:38
Miranda Lambert White Liar 10:34
Bryan Martin We Ride 10:28
Billy Currington Don't It 10:24