Did you know that cooking fires happen the most on Thanksgiving? According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires are likely to start in kitchens 3 times more than on an average day. This is majorly due to leaving overworked cooktops or ranges unattended. This year, while you’re enjoying the holiday of feasting, please remember the following safety cooking tips:

- Before you start cooking, check to see if your stovetops, burners and ovens are clean as this will reduce the chances of starting a fire.
- Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
- Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
- Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, they can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Be sure to use the actual plug on the appliance.
- Be sure to stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you need to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove – no matter what!

We hope this doesn’t happen, but if it does we would like to provide you with how and when you should fight cooking fires in your home to prevent deaths:

- When in doubt, just get out. Make sure the last person out closes the door behind them; this will help contain the fire.  Then call 9-1-1.
- Keeping an oven mitt and a lid nearby can help prevent small grease fires from flaring into large fires.  While wearing the oven mitt, cover the small grease fire with the lid and turn off the burner. Do not touch or remove anything until the burner is cool.
- After a fire, all appliances need to be checked and serviced before being used again
- And lastly, never forget to check and make sure that your smoke alarms are working properly.