PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Fire Marshal reminds citizens to enjoy the good food and activity that are part of the Thanksgiving holiday, but not to forget the importance of fire safety.

Nationally, Thanksgiving Day is when the most home cooking fires happen each year. State Fire Marshal Paul Merriman says the holiday always presents several different fire risks.

“Many Thanksgiving gatherings occur in the kitchen, so people need to stay alert to food cooking on ovens or in stoves,” he said. “It is also important to be careful with the use of candles, fireplaces and other heating sources located throughout the home.”

Merriman says it is important, at all times of the year, to have working smoke alarms on each level of the home. Specific fire safety tips for Thanksgiving can be found here: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Thanksgiving.

The South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.