Ted Buehner, American Red Cross

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, bringing families together particularly around the dinner table. Many of these Thanksgiving meals include turkey or ham, and all the trimmings.

Creating this Thanksgiving feast usually involves a great deal of time in the kitchen preparing the meal. Doing so means kitchen safety is imperative!

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the number one day of the year for home cooking fires? These kinds of fires occur more than three times the daily average according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

Just over half of all home fires are caused by cooking. The NFPA notes that on Thanksgiving Day, about 80 percent of structure fires are due to preparing the big meal.

Remaining Safe in the Kitchen

While preparing your Thanksgiving meal, there are a number of important steps to take to avoid a tragic and holiday-spoiling fire.

- Stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove top when using it to heat food.

- When cooking your turkey or ham, stay at home and check on the main course frequently.

- Ensure your kitchen floor is clear of any potential tripping hazards.

- Child safety is imperative. Be sure younger children remain out of the kitchen, are supervised by other adults, and are involved in fun activities. If older children are helping in the kitchen, ensure they are fully aware of hot foods, liquids, steam or splashes.

- Be sure appliance electrical cords are secured and not dangling off the counter.

- Are your smoke alarms working? Test them before starting your meal preparation.

Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, sharing stories and activities, and enjoying a wonderful meal together. The American Red Cross wishes to ensure that all the preparations are done with safety in mind.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!