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Staying safe in the kitchen this holiday season

Cherice Corley

Each year there are 46 million turkeys consumed on Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.

As preparations for the holiday season begin, there is another important statistic to keep in mind: Thanksgiving is the peak day for home-cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas Eve, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

One of the reasons may have to do with a growing trend of deep-fried turkey, which continues to gain in popularity because it is a quick method of cooking that results in a tender and flavorful bird.

But, this method can be more dangerous than other types of cooking, since it involves using a very large quantity of cooking oil, which is a combustible substance.

Many cooks may not realize that deep-frying a turkey can pose many hazards, even for those who regularly use deep fryers for other types of cooking.

In fact, according to the NFPA, every year deep-fryer fires are responsible for the destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage.

No matter how you choose to cook your Thanksgiving meal, be sure to take a look at these tips from the NFPA to protect yourself, your guests and your home to ensure they aren’t gobbled up with injuries or a fire.