Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner urges Georgians to use caution while cooking this holiday season

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is urging Georgians to use caution while cooking this holiday season.

Commissioner King tells WNEG News nine Georgians died in cooking-related fires last year.

So far this year there have been 69 fire fatalities, and a 2019 report by State Farm Insurance said Georgia is the top state in the country for cooking/grease fire losses.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires. One out of three home fires begin in the kitchen – more than any other place in the home, and Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires.

That’s why King is urging people take extra precautions this week when cooking that Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Commissioner King suggests the following cooking safety tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season:

First, while deep frying a turkey has become a popular cooking method, he says never put a frozen turkey into a hot deep fryer.

Also, remember to set your timer and keep your cooking area free of potholders, towels, and other combustibles. And remember to make sure you have enough smoke alarms in your home.

King offers other tips when cooking that Thanksgiving meal:

Always keep an eye on what you are cooking/frying. Never leave the cooking area unattended. Keep a lid beside the pan when cooking and if a fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never throw water on a grease fire.

Keep a fire extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby. Make sure your smoke alarms are working.

If you have a cooking fire you can’t control – just get out and get everybody else out and call 911.

If you can, try to shut the door to the kitchen behind you if there is one to keep the fire contained.