Don’t be a turkey.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the chance of cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day can be three times higher than the daily average.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries,” said Jonathan Seibert, regional disaster officer for the American Red Cross.

“Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable vacation. Therefore, please do not leave the kitchen while cooking.”

How to Cook Safely on Thanksgiving

The Red Cross urges home cooks to remain in the kitchen or cooking area at all times while there is something on the stove, deep fryer or oven. If you need to step away, turn off your heating source. The NFPA reported that unattended cooking is “by far” the leading cause of death in fires.

In addition, the Red Cross recommends not wearing dangling clothing and keeping children and pets at least one meter away from the cooking area.

It is important to also keep pot holders, oven mitts and wooden utensils when cooking as these could catch fire.

Other items such as grocery bags – made of paper or plastic – as well as food packaging, towels or curtains can also easily cause a fire. The NFPA also warns that loose objects on the ground, such as toys, bags or trash, can even start a fire if tripped over near heating sources.

Another important step is to keep the cooking surfaces clean and free of grease and to double check that everything is turned off at the end of the evening after serving dessert.

The organization warns that it is also important to have an active smoke detector in the kitchen and test it before large meals. To ensure smoke alarms work when needed, firefighters recommend replacing batteries twice a year during daylight savings time.

Is it safe to roast a turkey?

The NFPA classifies turkey fryers that use cooking oil as “unsafe.”

“These deep fryers consume large amounts of oil at high temperatures, which can result in devastating burns,” the organization warns.

“If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, purchase it from a grocery store, a restaurant, or purchase a deep fryer that doesn’t use oil.”

The Red Cross also states that fully thawed turkeys should always and only be roasted outdoors and at least 10 feet from the home or associated buildings.

Deep fryers should be on a flat surface; It is also important to check that they are not overcrowded.