The American Red Cross for the Kansas and Oklahoma region is offering safety tips for people who will be cooking Thanksgiving meals during the holiday weekend.

The Red Cross says cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.   It’s the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries and it’s the second leading cause of home fire deaths.   The organization has some basic advice to follow:

• 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 on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — 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.
• If you’re deep frying a turkey, place the fryer on a flat, even surface away from your home or other structures. Never fry a turkey that isn’t fully thawed.