WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — It may come as no surprise: when ovens and kitchens get crowded over the holidays, more fires get started.
According to the National Fire Protection Association about 1,800 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving. That's the most on any day of the year.
Christmas Eve comes in second.
There are other dangers, too. The association says candles and Christmas tree fires led to at least ten deaths from 2014 to 2016.
Central Georgia fire departments are well aware of the risks and say problems can happen fast.
"Elevated risk," asked Warner Robins Fire Captain Danny Williams. "Well, there is... and if people get live Christmas trees and if they're dry when they buy them, that's always a risk just from electrical fires or having them too close to a heat source."
Williams would know: he's spent more than three decades with the Warner Robins Fire Department.
According to him, trees aren't the only danger.
Turkey fryers can be "extremely hazardous" in the wrong hands.
"Don't do it if you have any questions," said Williams. "Make sure you read up on it beforehand."
If something does go wrong, the fire department is ready to help, but there are ways to avoid needing that.
Williams says if you're frying a turkey, do it away from any structures like homes, garages, or decks.
With Christmas trees, he says they must be watered daily and kept away from heat sources.
If you're cooking inside and a kitchen fire breaks out, Williams says it helps to be prepared.
"Always use a fire extinguisher, keep a fire extinguisher handy," he said.
They're especially useful for grease fires, which are resistant to water.
Stand away from the flame, spray at the base, and walk toward the fire as you spray it.
That said, don't be a hero.
Williams says home fire extinguishers are suitable for small stove-top fires. Anything bigger than that, he says to get out of the house, make sure the fire department is on the way, and then let the pros handle it.
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