Fires spike on the Thanksgiving holiday

If you are tackling a home-cooked meal this Thanksgiving, take note:

• Never use your turkey fryer in the kitchen. Don't get distracted with a bunch of burners and the oven going at the same time. Keep mitts, wrappers, towels and loose sleeves away from the stovetop.

Driving the news: Thanksgiving is the most fire-prone day of the year and the peak day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

• More than three times the number of daily average house fires are reported on Thanksgiving, the NFPA reports.
• Other common causes for turkey day fires are faulty wiring or outlets and dirty fireplaces and chimneys, according to Travelers.
• Overall, unattended cooking causes half of all reported home fires, NFPA reports.
• It is the second leading cause of home fire deaths (20%).
• Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third respectively, NFPA says, with both having nearly twice the daily average of reported fires.

Be smart: Here are tips for cooking safe from the Washington state Fire Marshal's Office and the NFPA:

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Stay at home when cooking in the oven. Set a timer and check on things regularly.

• Keep lids or a metal cookie sheet handy to smother the fire should one erupt on the range. Turn off the burner, and let the pan cool completely.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed until cool.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove and areas where hot food is being prepared.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.