Nothing says the holiday season like friends and family gathering together as the aroma of freshly baked pies and roasted turkey fills the air. With side dishes simmering on the stovetop and soft dinner rolls lining baking sheets inside the oven, preparing for Thanksgiving dinner can be quite an undertaking. With so much activity going on in your kitchen, it’s important to take safety measures that will help prevent the possibility of a house fire.

Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, and the day before Thanksgiving is the second-leading day for home cooking fires. We’ve compiled a few safety tips and recommendations to keep your holiday season fire-free and avoid the potential for a fire damage insurance claim.

NEVER LEAVE ITEMS COOKING ON THE STOVETOP UNATTENDED

Thirty-three percent of home fires are caused by unattended cooking. Even if you’re cooking on a low-heat setting, you should never leave your stovetop unattended while in use. Because the stovetop is uncovered, the heating device is open to the surrounding elements. Cluttered countertops can lead to a fire if they come in contact with the burners, and inattention to a boiling pot can lead to burns while adjusting it, or a fire.

MAKE SURE YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS ARE WORKING

Take some time to do a quick test to ensure your smoke detectors are in good working order before you begin prepping Thanksgiving dinner. If you live in a large home, you may need extra smoke detectors. When it comes to fires, it’s important to respond as quickly as possible to get everyone to safety and curb the damage to your home.

SET TIMERS TO TRACK COOKING TIMES

During the holiday season (anytime, really) it’s easy to get caught up in what else needs to be done around the house while you’re waiting on your dinner to bake in the oven. Setting timers on your oven or phone to help keep track of cooking times may not only save your turkey dinner from being burned to a crisp, but could save you from a fire damage insurance claim as well.

KEEP THE FLOOR AND COUNTERTOPS CLEAR AND CLEAN

Keeping your countertops and floors clear of clutter reduces the risk of a stovetop fire or a cooking accident. Clean countertops can also reduce bacteria buildup that thrives on grimy surfaces. Regularly cleaning working surfaces helps eliminate the risk of food-borne bacteria that can cause illness.

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