Why Augusta is at ground zero for house fire risks this week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in the country for home cooking fires – and Georgia is one of the top places where that happens.

That puts Augusta right at ground zero for cooking fires this week.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more home cooking fires in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year.

In 2023, State Farm, the country’s largest insurer, paid over $237.4 million for 3,390 grease/cooking fire claims.

In Georgia, State Farm paid $17.8 million for about 230 claims. That puts Georgia tied at the top with California, where claims also totaled $17.8 million.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Top 10: These states garnered the most money for cooking fires in 2023

1. California – $17.8 million
2. Georgia – $17.8 million
3. Illinois – $17.7 million
4. New York – $11.9 million
5. Michigan – $11.3 million
6. Texas – $10.6 million
7. Ohio – $10.4 million
8. Pennsylvania – $9.7 million
9. Tennessee – $9.1 million
10. Alabama – $9.1 million

Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.

The American Red Cross offers these safety steps:

Never use a fryer near your house or other structure. Place the fryer on a flat, even surface.

• Never fry a turkey that’s not fully thawed.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.

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