News Flash

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2010 - 2014, almost half of home structure fires were caused by cooking, and these fires peak on major U.S. holidays that traditionally include cooking.

The following tips can help reduce the risk of cooking fires on Thanksgiving and beyond:

 - Stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep a close eye on the food, especially when frying and sautéing with oil.Stay alert and focused when cooking.

- To help minimize the risk of injury, avoid cooking when drinking alcohol or if you’re sleepy.

- Use a timer to keep track of cooking times, most notably when cooking a meal that takes a long time like roasting a turkey, baking a roast or simmering.

- Check the stove or oven frequently. Consider putting timers in different rooms so you can hear them over the music and party chatter.

- Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels away from the cooking area.