November 2014 - Sacramento – With Thanksgiving just days away, CAL FIRE is reminding Californians about the dangers that home fires pose during the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a time of food, fun and festivities; but this time of year is also a time to be extra cautious as thousands of home fires across the nation are caused from holiday cooking.
![Kitchen-fire](http://valleyonlinenews.com/images/2014/november/Kitchen-fire.jpg)
To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with cooking fires, CAL FIRE would like to offer the following tips:
• Don’t leave cooking unattended and keep an eye on what you fry. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them and it prevents a curious child from pulling them over.
• Food preparation and cooking should always be supervised by an adult.
• When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors away from structures!
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home.
Watch this short video from CAL FIRE for some more tips on cooking safety by clicking here or visit www.fire.ca.gov.