Red Cross offers steps to help you avoid a cooking fire

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. The Red Cross of Ill. offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family's Thanksgiving feast.

"Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths," said Adam Runkle, Regional Disaster Officer. "Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don't leave the kitchen while you're cooking."

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 a fire, such as potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains should be 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.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your 1-800-Red Cross for more information.

Over the past week, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 12 people in Zeigler, Jacsonville and Tovey affected by three home fires, which account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

Since Oct. 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 1,969 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.