Thanksgiving holiday fire safety tips Published Nov. 16, 2011 375th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- Cooking accidents are the leading cause of Thanksgiving day residential structural fires; nearly double that of any other day. This increase is troubling as it applies to the family home. Unattended food is the leading factor in the ignition of residential cooking fires. Each year, nearly one third of the fires in the United States on Thanksgiving day are residential, resulting in an average of 15 lost lives, 41 injured, and $21 million in damages. The Scott Air Force Base Fire Department urges everyone to keep safety in mind when preparing holiday meals. Here are a few fire safety tips from the Scott Fire Department: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the home for even a short period of time, turn off the stove or oven. If you are simmering, baking, boiling or roasting food, check it regularly. Use a timer to remind you the stove or oven is on. Stay alert. Don't cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy. Keep things that burn--pot holders, oven mitts, paper or plastic--off your stovetop. If you plan to use a turkey fryer this holiday season, follow manufacturer guidelines. Don't store flammable items in an oven, microwave, or toaster oven. Clean food and grease off burners, stovetops and ovens. Wear clothing with sleeves that are short, close fitting, or tightly rolled up. Keep kids away from cooking areas--enforce a "kid-free zone" of three feet around the stove. Use the stove's back burners whenever possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot contents will be knocked over. Never hold a small child while cooking. In addition, here are a few informational items and tips for using turkey fryers: Remember that the oil in fryers is highly combustible: if tipped or spilled (common from overfilling) onto a heating element, the entire unit may easily become engulfed in flames. As most fryers don't have thermostat controls, be vigilant about not overheating the oil to avoid combustion. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, no closer than 15 feet to a building or any other material that can burn; do not use turkey fryers on decks or in garages. Do not leave the fryer unattended. Do not allow children or pets near the fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, even hours after use. Use insulated potholders or oven mitts when handling the pot or lid handles. Only place completely thawed turkeys into the pot and be careful with marinades. Ensure an all-purpose fire extinguisher is nearby; do not use water to extinguish grease fires. Use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire, and only fight fires if you have a safe egress route. Finally, as in every season, have working smoke detectors installed on every level and in every sleeping area of your home. Keep them clean, test them monthly, and keep them equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Never disable or borrow a battery from a smoke alarm. Know when and how to call for help. Establish at least two escape routes from each room, and have the whole family agree on a place to meet outside. Remember to practice your home escape plan. As a reminder, if an emergency occurs call 911. Provide the dispatcher the nature of the emergency, location of the emergency, your name and call-back number. Report fires even if they have been extinguished.