Red Cross offers steps to help avoid a cooking fire on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.

COOKING SAFETY TIPS: Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.

*Never use a fryer near your house or other structure. Place the fryer on a flat, even surface.

*Never fry a turkey that’s not fully thawed.

*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.

FREE SMOKE ALARMS: Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit www.soundthealarm.org/mnyn for more information or to request an appointment.