Thanksgiving Kitchen Safety Tips

November 16, 2023||inPersonal Insurance|cooking safety, fire safety, homeowners insurance, personal insurance, thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a fun holiday that many of us look forward to all year. As you plan and prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, keep safety a focus.  With heightened kitchen activity and other home entertainment, you don’t want to get distracted and have your holiday go up in smoke.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires. In 2021, there were 1,160 fires on Thanksgiving, a 297% increase over the daily average.

Thanksgiving Kitchen Safety Tips
Click here to submit an inquiry to Murphy Insurance or call us at 800 222 8711

Kitchen Safety Tips

  • Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food to check it regularly. If you have to leave the kitchen for a short time, turn off the stove.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey. Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains, away from the stovetop.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. Steam or splashes from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause severe burns.
  • Ensure that the electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer, or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
  • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

If things go wrong and you have a cooking fire…

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.  Then, call 911 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
  • If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out, you have a clear path out of the home, and someone has called the fire department.
  • Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Read Other Blog Posts

Deer Sign

Road Safety and Wildlife: What Drivers Need to Know

Every year, countless accidents occur because drivers aren't prepared for unexpected encounters with animals on the road. Whether it's a deer darting across a rural highway or a stray dog wandering into city traffic, these moments can be dangerous for both humans and animals. Staying alert and understanding how to respond in these situations can make a critical difference in preventing harm and keeping roads safer for everyone.
Read more
Quest for the Best 2025

We Did It Again! 5-Time Gold Winners in Quest for the Best

We’re proud to announce we’ve won Gold in MyFM 101.3’s Quest for the Best – Insurance Category for the 5th year in a row! Thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support us. If you're a client, we’re grateful for your trust. If you’re looking for a second opinion, we’d love the chance to earn your business.
Read more
Happy driver

The Benefits of Raising Your Limits

An overwhelming majority of states require individuals to carry insurance in order to operate a vehicle. While meeting these minimum limits may be enough to get you on the road, they may be inadequate if you are involved in a serious accident. For better protection, you may want to consider raising your limits to secure proper protection.
Read more
Murphy Insurance Team

27 Reasons to Work with Murphy Insurance Agency

For more than 88 years, Murphy Insurance Agency has been a trusted partner for families, individuals, and businesses across Massachusetts. As a family-owned and independent agency, we prioritize relationships over transactions, offering guidance and support tailored to your needs. With access to more than 25 top-rated carriers, we deliver personalized solutions, competitive options, and peace of mind. Discover 27 reasons why thousands have chosen Murphy Insurance to protect what matters most.
Read more
Personal Article Floater

What Is a Personal Article Floater—and Do You Need One?

Many people assume that their home or renters insurance covers all their personal belongings—but it's not always that simple. While these policies do offer significant protection, there are usually limits, especially when it comes to high-value or one-of-a-kind items. If you own something valuable, rare, or that you often take with you, you may want to consider adding a personal article floater to your coverage.
Read more
Home Fall Prep for Winter

Fall Into Home Prep: Smart Projects to Help You Avoid Winter Insurance Claims

Fall is the perfect time to tackle home maintenance projects before winter sets in. Use our seasonal checklist to protect your home, prevent costly damage, and keep everything running smoothly—inside and out.
Read more
Living room

Renting Out Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know About Liability and Insurance

Renting out your home—whether short-term or long-term—can provide extra income but also introduces legal and insurance risks. Before listing your property, it's essential to research local laws, use a clear rental agreement, screen tenants carefully, and ensure your insurance policy provides the right coverage. Taking steps like securing valuables, documenting your home’s condition, and staying accessible can help protect your property and minimize potential issues.
Read more
Ashley Pu Calderon and Wayne Texeira

Working with Co-op Students Yields a Mutually Beneficial Experience

As summer winds down and the next academic year approaches, we at Murphy Insurance Agency are both proud and a little wistful as we say goodbye to Ashley Pu Calderon, our most recent co-op student from Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re incredibly excited for her as she begins her college journey
Read more
College Students 1200

Headed to College? Don’t Forget About Insurance

Whether it’s freshman year or senior year, sending a student off to college is a big deal. Between class schedules, dorm shopping, moving day, and maybe a few emotional goodbyes, there’s a lot going on. With so much happening, it’s easy to overlook things like insurance. But here’s the thing: insurance should definitely be on your college checklist, because being covered can save you time, money, and major stress down the road.
Read more

Visit Our Homeowners Insurance Page

Homeowners Insurance OLD VERSION

At Murphy Insurance, we take great care in assessing your options for homeowners insurance to ensure that you receive the most favorable value. Our dedication to serving you entails collaborating with highly-rated insurance providers and conducting comprehensive assessments of available choices. Our goal is to achieve the ideal equilibrium between affordability and coverage that suits your unique needs. Please let us provide you with a customized homeowners insurance quote.