Thanksgiving and the day before are the two highest-risk days for cooking fires in the U.S. Cooking is responsible for an average of 158,400 home fires annually, accounting for 44% of all home fires nationwide. The American Red Cross Kansas and Oklahoma Region offers safety tips to help prevent cooking-related accidents while preparing your Thanksgiving meal.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Shelly Webb, Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”

The Red Cross offers these tips for safe cooking:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, 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.
• If you’re deep frying a turkey, place the fryer on a flat, even surface away from your home or other structures. Never fry a turkey that isn’t fully thawed.

Smoke alarms are important for safety and can save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on every level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside of bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Test your alarms monthly using the test button, and replace the batteries at least once a year. If you are unable to afford smoke alarms or cannot install them yourself, the Red Cross or your local fire department may be able to assist.

For more fire safety tips visit the Red Cross website.