Top Three States for Thanksgiving Day Cooking Fires

PRNewsFoto/State Farm

More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, according to data provided by State Farm. In fact, grease and cooking-related claims more than double on Thanksgiving Day compared to an average day in November.

With the popularity of turkey frying increasing, more people than ever are at risk for fryer related fires and injuries.U.S. fire departments are responding to more than 1,000 fires each year in which a deep fryer is involved.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says deep fryer fires result in more than $15 million in property damage each year and hot oil splatter can cause serious burns to an adult or life threatening injuries to a child.

According to State Farm Insurance claims data, the top 10 states for grease and cooking-related claims on Thanksgiving Day (2005-2010) are as follows:

1.Texas 36

2.Illinois 24

3.Ohio  21

4.New York 17

5.Pennsylvania 17

6.Michigan 15

7.Florida 14

8.Minnesota 14

9.Indiana 13

10.Louisiana 12

More than one-third of fires involving a fryer start in a garage or patio.

To warn people about the dangers of turkey fryers, State Farm has teamed up with actor William Shatner to produce a short video dramatizing an actual accident where the celebrity was burned in a turkey fryer mishap on Thanksgiving.

Viewers of the Shatner Fryers Club video are encouraged to support the safety campaign by simply liking or commenting on the video and agreeing to stay safe when frying or cooking turkey.