A lot of families will be doing some Thanksgiving cooking this week. But it's easy to get distracted by phone calls, a favorite TV show, entertaining guests or keeping an eye on the kids.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires during the Thanksgiving holiday. That's why the Shreveport Fire Department offers these valuable holiday cooking safety tips:

Kitchen safety:

If a fire starts in a stove-top pan, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat source.

If a fire is burning in your oven, keep the door closed and call 9-1-1.

Keep children 3 feet away from the stove to prevent burns

Keep a fire extinguisher preferably mounted in the kitchen away from the stove - one that can be used for grease or electrical fires.

Never leave food or hot grease unattended on the stove.

Always keep a tidy kitchen and clean up spills immediately.

Turkey frying:

Make sure the turkey is completely thawed! Remember, oil and water do not mix, so be careful with marinades. It is recommended that your turkey should be thawed in the refrigerator, allowing approximately 24 hours for every five pounds.

Always use turkey fryers outdoors at a safe distance from the home, buildings or any other material that can burn.

Always wear tight-fitting sleeves when cooking and use equipment such as oven mitts or potholders when touching pot or lid handles.

Never overfill the fryer.

Never use turkey fryers inside carports, garages or on wooden decks.

Always use turkey fryers on a flat surface to prevent accidental tip-over.

Never leave the fryer unattended and monitor the thermostat carefully.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and remember to never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

Never let pets or children anywhere close to the fryer when in use. Even after use, oil inside the cooking pot can remain extremely hot, even hours after use.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a turkey fryer.

Before going to bed, double-check to make sure all hazards have been eliminated.

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