Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44 percent of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast. Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.

• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.

• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.

• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.

• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call 1-800-Red Cross.