According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths.

NFPA has provided a variety of tips related to fire prevention when cooking.

Always keep a close eye on the food that is cooking. For foods with longer cook times, such as those that are simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them carefully. Also, do not leave the kitchen while food is cooking, and minimize distractions.

Clear the cooking area of anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging, and paper towels.

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Also, keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

Create a kid-free and pet-free zone of at least 3 feet around the cooking area and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

To learn more, visit http://www.fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators can be found at http://www.sparky.org and http://www.sparkyschoolhouse.org.