SAFETY: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has issued its Home Cooking Fires report, which shows that Thanksgiving is the peak day for U.S. home cooking fires followed by the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

According to the report, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,630 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day, three and half times an average day. Unattended cooking was by far the leading cause of associated fires and fire deaths.

Carli notes that the pandemic may reduce the number of larger group gatherings in favor of smaller celebrations, which may mean more kitchens being used to cook Thanksgiving meals this year.

NFPA offers these tips and recommendations for safely cooking this Thanksgiving:

Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop.

When cooking a turkey, or other items in the oven, stay in your home and check on it regularly.

Set a timer on your stove or phone to keep track of cooking times.

Keep things that can catch fire away from direct contact with the cooking area.

Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics.

Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.

For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do.

Keep children at least three feet away from the stove.

“The pandemic may limit the number of people in homes this year, but there will still be lots of the usual cooking and distractions that contribute to a sharp increase in cooking fires on and around Thanksgiving,” said Carli. “Being vigilant in the kitchen remains critical to ensuring a fire-safe holiday.”

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers, as these can lead to severe burns, injuries, and property damage.