Commissioner King Calls for Caution in the Kitchen This Thanksgiving

ATLANTA –Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is calling upon all Georgians to exercise caution in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day, a day recognized by the National Fire Prevention Association as the peak day for home cooking fires.

“I join many Georgians in being thankful for firefighters and other fire safety professionals,” said Commissioner King. “However, we don’t want Georgians to have to call the fire department on Thanksgiving Day, so we urge all Georgians to follow these simple fire safety tips as they prepare the family feast.”

• Never deep-fry a frozen turkey. Ice turns to steam when a frozen turkey is dropped into hot oil, and the rapidly expanding steam can cause the oil to boil over.
• Don’t forget to set a timer while you cook.
• Keep combustibles like towels and rags away from your cooking space.
• If a pan catches fire, cover it with a lid and turn off the burner. Water makes a grease fire worse, so consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen year-round.
• Turn pot handles inward to prevent an accident and ensure your children cannot grab them.
• Only use fireplaces and space heaters to heat your home or any outdoor areas. Do not use a cooking stove to heat your home.
• Wear tight-fitting sleeves when you cook so that loose clothing does not contact a burner and catch on fire. If clothing does catch fire, don’t forget the life-saving adage of “stop, drop, and roll.”
• Ensure that you have a working smoke alarm and change the batteries if you have not done so in six months. More information on smoke alarms can be found here.

“Likewise, we understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is altering the Thanksgiving plans of countless Georgia families,” King continued. “If your family has shifted to an outdoor gathering, please review this document from the U.S. Fire Administration for helpful outdoor tips.”

No matter what Georgia families have planned, Commissioner King and the OCI team ask all Georgians to follow public health guidance by washing their hands, wearing their masks, watching their distance, getting their flu shot, and staying away from others if they’re feeling sick. Happy Thanksgiving!

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The mission of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.