By WMBD-TV

PEORIA – The American Red Cross is releasing information on how to avoid cooking fires this Thanksgiving.

Jayce Eustice, a Communications Manager for the American Red Cross, said that the day before and the day of Thanksgiving have the highest chance of a cooking fire.

Cooking fires happen in 158,000 homes every year, which is close to 44% of home fires in the U.S., Eustice said.

The following are some cooking tips the Red Cross suggests to avoid fires:

• 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.

Smoke alarms save lives and people should make sure to have smoke alarms in the correct spots in their homes. They should be located near the kitchen, near sleeping areas and inside and outside of bedrooms if you sleep with the doors closed, Eustice said.

For more information, click here.

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