Thanksgiving Cooking Safety: The Most Common Causes of House Fires

​Thanksgiving is the #1 day for home cooking fires in the U.S.

Learn the top causes, how to stay safe, and why turkey fryers are especially dangerous.

---

Thanksgiving is a day for family, food, and celebration — but it’s also the leading day of the year for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
​
With multiple dishes cooking at once, guests arriving, and distractions everywhere, the risk of fire rises dramatically. The good news? Most Thanksgiving cooking fires are preventable with a few simple safety steps.

Here’s what homeowners need to know to keep the holiday safe — and what your insurance does and doesn’t cover.

🔥 The Most Common Causes of Thanksgiving House Fires
1️⃣ Unattended Cooking — The #1 Cause
​More than half of all Thanksgiving cooking fires happen when food is left unattended.
Common triggers include:

• Forgetting a pot on the stove
• Oven grease igniting
• Walking away to greet guests or prep other dishes
• Kids or pets bumping into handles or open flames

Quick tip: Stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, sautéing, or broiling food.
For baking or roasting, stay in the home and check food frequently.

2️⃣ Grease Fires
Grease can ignite in seconds — and trying to put it out with water can make it worse.
Grease fires often happen when:

• Oil overheats
• A pan is left unattended
• Food splashes into hot grease
• Oil spills onto a burner

If a grease fire starts:

• Turn off the heat
• Cover the pan with a lid or baking sheet
• Never use water
• Use a Class B or K fire extinguisher if needed

3️⃣ Overloaded Stovetops
Thanksgiving meals typically require:

• Multiple pots
• Roasting pans
• Side dishes
• Boiling water
• Frying pans

Crowded stovetops make it easier for something to spill, catch fire, or get overheated.

4️⃣ Clutter Too Close to HeatCommon flammable items that accidentally catch fire include:

• Dish towels
• Paper towels
• Pot holders
• Wooden utensils
• Packaging
• Aprons or loose clothing

Keep anything flammable far away from burners.

5️⃣ Kids and Pets in the KitchenChildren and pets in busy kitchens lead to:

• Spills
• Burns
• Knocked-over pans
• Accidental fires

A simple safety rule: create a 3-foot “kid-free, pet-free zone” around the stove.

🦃🔥 Special Section: The Danger of Turkey FryersTurkey fryers are responsible for some of the most severe Thanksgiving fires every year.
NFPA strongly advises against consumer use of outdoor turkey fryers for these reasons:
❌ Major turkey fryer hazards:

• Oil spills when lowering or removing the turkey
• Overfilling oil, causing it to overflow onto the burner
• Frozen or wet turkeys reacting violently with hot oil
• Tipping hazards, since fryers are often unstable
• Intense open flames directly under a vat of oil

These fires can ignite within seconds and spread rapidly.
✔️ If someone insists on frying a turkey:

• Use an oil-less electric fryer
• Keep the fryer at least 10 feet from the house
• Pat the turkey completely dry
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey
• Never fry on a wooden deck
• Keep a Class B fire extinguisher nearby

Turkey fryer accidents cause thousands of ER visits and millions in property damage each holiday season — so safety cannot be overstated.

🧯 What Homeowners Insurance Covers (and Doesn’t)
✔️ Covered (Typically):
If a cooking fire causes damage, homeowners insurance usually covers:

• Fire & smoke damage
• Kitchen repairs
• Appliance replacement
• Smoke cleanup
• Additional living expenses if you must temporarily relocate

❌ Not Covered:

• Intentional fire
• Gross neglect (ex: frying inside the garage, disabling smoke alarms)
• Damage from prohibited appliances (per policy exclusions)

Coverage varies by carrier, but most accidental cooking fires are covered events.

❤️ Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving should be a day of joy — not disaster. Most cooking fires are preventable with small safety habits:

• Stay present in the kitchen
• Keep flammable items away from heat
• Watch oil closely
• Use turkey fryers with extreme caution (or avoid them altogether)

If you'd like to make sure your home insurance is strong enough to handle unexpected accidents this season, the Corin Insurance team is here to help.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Coverage varies by policy, carrier, and state. For personalized guidance, contact a licensed Corin Insurance agent.