The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urged added caution when cooking on Thanksgiving, the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Overall, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.

The NFPA offered the following tips for cooking safely on Thanksgiving.

Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sauteing with oil, need continuous attention.

When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.

Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cooking times.

Keep items that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels, at least 3 feet away from the cooking area.

Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.

Always cook with a lid beside the pan. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, and then turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.

For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. The oven door should only be opened once the fire is completely out, and the person opening it should stand to the side as he or she does so. Anyone who has doubts or concerns is advised to contact the local fire department for assistance.

Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from table and counter edges.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.

For more fire safety information, visit http://www.nfpa.org.