American Red Cross shares tips on fire safety during Thanksgiving

Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, and Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in the country for a chance of a cooking fire. The American Red Cross is sharing tips on how individuals can stay safe during Thanksgiving. 

"Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths," said Mike Parks, Regional CEO. 

The Red Cross encourages the following tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. 
• If leaving the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep anything that may catch on fire away from the stovetop or other cooking areas. 
• Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup. 
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to ensure all cooking surfaces are turned off. 

Parks also said," Most [home fires] 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."

Additionally, the Red Cross recommends installing a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home and near sleeping areas. It is recommended that the batteries are replaced every year and the alarm is tested monthly. 

For more information on fire safety, you can visit the American Red Cross website.