WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving in the United States compared to any other day of the year, fire prevention experts say.
"A cooking fire can turn a holiday feast into a family tragedy," Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum says in a statement. "By taking simple safety steps cooks can avoid cooking fires and keep the Thanksgiving celebration joyful."
Officials at Underwriters Laboratories and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers say most fires in the kitchen occur because food is left cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen briefly, carry an oven mitt with you as a reminder that something is cooking.
The fire prevention experts also suggest:
-- Do not hold a child while cooking. Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
-- Do not let range tops get cluttered. Spilled grease can cause a range top fire.
-- Use only as many pans as there are burners and never use the oven for storage.
