12 Thanksgiving Safety Tips to Share With Your Employees

Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year for home cooking fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day 2023, 388% more than the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The holiday also kicks off one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Use these 12 tips as a pre-holiday toolbox talk so your team gets to the table, and back to work, without an injury.

In the Kitchen

1. Stay With Anything on the Stove or in the Oven. NFPA names unattended cooking as the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the burner. Check a roasting turkey regularly and use a timer.

2. Keep Flammable Items Away From Heat. Move towels, oven mitts, packaging and paper plates at least 3 feet from burners. Roll up loose sleeves.

3. Never Put Water on a Grease Fire. Water spreads burning oil. Slide a lid over the pan, turn off the heat and leave it covered. For an oven fire, keep the door closed and turn off the heat.

4. Know Where Your Fire Extinguisher Is. Check that it is charged, within reach of the kitchen and not blocked by holiday clutter. Use the PASS method: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.

5. Keep Glass Cookware Off Direct Heat. Glass dishes and lids can shatter on a stovetop burner or under a broiler. Use them only as the manufacturer directs.

Handling the Turkey and Leftovers

6. Thaw the Turkey in the Refrigerator. Allow 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds, per USDA guidance. Never thaw on the counter.

7. Cook to 165°F. Check the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh and the wing with a food thermometer. Do not rely on the pop-up timer alone.

8. Refrigerate Leftovers Within 2 Hours. Bacteria grow quickly between 40°F and 140°F. Cut that to 1 hour if food sits somewhere warmer than 90°F.

At the Office Potluck

9. Wear Cut-Resistant Gloves When Carving. Carving a large bird with a sharp knife is a common source of holiday cuts. A cut-resistant glove on the non-knife hand protects the hand most at risk.

10. Keep Hot and Cold Foods at Safe Temperatures. Use slow cookers or chafing dishes for hot items and ice trays for cold ones. Assign one person to put food away when the event ends.

11. Use Flameless Candles. Open flames in break rooms and offices are a fire risk and often violate building fire codes. Battery-operated candles give the same look.

On the Road

12. Plan for Safe Travel. Drive rested, avoid alcohol before driving, and build extra time into trips. If employees drive for work during the holiday week, remind them of your fleet safety policy before they leave.

Turn These Tips Into a Toolbox Talk

Schedule a 5-minute safety talk the week before Thanksgiving. Pick 3 tips that match your workforce, ask employees to share one hazard they have seen at a holiday gathering, and record attendance. Find more ideas in our 5-minute safety talk topics and November toolbox talks.

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