Thanksgiving day is a holiday that many of us look forward to all year. Did you know there are more than three times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year? This makes it the leading day for U.S. home-cooking fires. While you gather with your loved to share a great meal and enjoy each other’s company, please follow these safety tips to ensure that you, your home and your loved ones stay safe this Thanksgiving.

• When cooking on the stovetop, stay in the kitchen so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Check your turkey frequently.
• User a timer to keep track of cooking times. Consider putting timers in different rooms so you can hear them over music and party chatter.
• Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove to avoid burns or other injuries.
• Keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame and turn off the burner.
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Turn off stovetops and ovens if they are not in use. Most cooking fires are caused by unattended cooking equipment.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
• Secure your trash after the meal is done. All bags should be sealed and disposed of properly to prevent your pet from getting into it. Bones can severely injure your pets.
• Do not leave lit candles unattended.
• If you use a turkey fryer, make sure it is outdoors and in an open area away from all walls, fences or other structures that could catch on fire.
• Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

Keeping these factors in mind, we hope that everyone’s Thanksgiving is enjoyable and safe.