State Fire Marshal’s Office: Focus on Kitchen Fire Safety During Thanksgiving Holidays
Cooking-Related Fires Caused 5 Fatalities, 26 Civilian Injuries, and Over $19.2M in Damages Across Tennessee in 2024
~ from the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
As Tennessee families gather for Thanksgiving Day feasts on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urge Tennesseans to focus on kitchen fire safety in light of new figures related to cooking safety.
National fire data shows that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, accounting for more than three times the daily average for such incidents. In Tennessee, data from 2024 shows that cooking fires are the leading known cause of home fires in Tennessee and have taken a tragic toll, claiming 5 civilian lives, causing 8 fire service injuries, 26 civilian injuries, and damaging $19.2 million in property.
“While delicious home-cooked meals are a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, a cooking related home fire can spell disaster for you and your loved ones if you’re not paying attention in the kitchen,” said TDCI Commissioner and Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. “It only takes a moment for a home fire to start, but the consequences can last a lifetime. I remind Tennesseans to always use working smoke alarms, never leave a stove unattended while cooking, and be responsible when drinking and preparing food.”
By ensuring safety in the kitchen this year, Tennesseans can protect themselves and Tennessee firefighters, most of whom are volunteers.
“Every time firefighters respond to a home fire, they are putting their lives on the line in order to try and help save their neighbors,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell. “This year, I remind Tennesseans to take care while cooking in order to help reduce the risk of a home fires to themselves and to Tennessee’s firefighters, many of whom are volunteers.”
To aid Tennesseans who may be cooking this year, the SFMO offers these Thanksgiving fire safety cooking tips:
- Avoid distractions. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you have to leave the room, even for a moment, turn off the stove’s burners.
- Be mindful of your alcohol consumption while preparing food.
- Use a kitchen timer when boiling, simmering, baking, or roasting to remind yourself to check what you are cooking.
- Use caution with turkey fryers. The SFMO recommends that consumers always utilize oil-free models.
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors and kept a safe distance from homes, buildings and other flammable materials.
- Never leave a turkey fryer unattended. Most fryer units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat and could boil over, resulting in a fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours after use.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease or oil fire. Instead, put a lid over the flame, exit the home and call your local fire department by dialing 9-1-1.
- Make sure your home’s smoke alarms are working. Need working smoke alarms? Contact your local fire department and ask if they participate in our “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program.
- For more information on making your home fire safe, download and print the SFMO home fire safety checklist.
About the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance. Protecting Tennesseans, empowering professionals. Our divisions include the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Insurance, Securities, Regulatory Boards, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, and TennCare Oversight.
