Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and gratitude… and statistically, it’s also the #1 day for home cooking fires. Add in cold weather, guests, and gadgets working overtime, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a holiday mishap.
Here are a few quick ways to keep your home (and your turkey) safe this season.
1. Don’t Let the Bird Burn the House Down
Deep-fried turkey videos are fun to watch — unless it’s your driveway in flames.
If you’re frying, do it outside, away from walls, trees, and decks. And remember: thaw that turkey completely before lowering it into oil unless you want a live physics experiment.
Prefer the oven? Stay nearby, keep a timer on, and don’t trust that one relative who always gets “distracted by football.”
2. Give Your Outlets a Break
Holiday cooking, electric roasters, space heaters, and a phone charger for every guest… it adds up fast. Avoid overloading outlets and power strips — especially in the kitchen or living room. If it’s sparking, smoking, or warm to the touch, it’s time to pull the plug (literally).
Yes, your table looks amazing with that pumpkin spice candle centerpiece. Just don’t leave it burning while you step away to “check the pie.”
Use flameless candles where you can — or keep the real ones well away from napkins, curtains, and Aunt Carol’s scarf.
Cold snaps can lead to frozen pipes — and when those thaw, surprise floods follow.
Before the temperature drops:
- Disconnect garden hoses.
- Keep a trickle of water running overnight if it’s below freezing.
- Know where your main shutoff valve is (and how to use it).
No one wants to end Thanksgiving with a group chat titled “Was it the stuffing?”
- Cook your turkey to 165°F (use a meat thermometer, not guesswork).
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
The best Thanksgiving memories involve laughter and leftovers — not smoke alarms or insurance claims. So keep it simple: cook smart, stay alert, and give thanks for good food, good company, and a home that stays standing.