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With so many more people using cooking equipment on holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, the risk of fire and related injury is significantly higher than on other days of the year.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries year-round, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths,” says Susan McKelvey, a communications manager for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). McKelvey and Sharon Cooksey, a fire safety educator with Kidde (a manufacturer of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers), share their best tips to keep calm and cook on—flame-free.

1. Stay focused.

“Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention,” McKelvey says. “When cooking a turkey, stay in your home and check on it regularly.”

2. Dress wisely.

Form-fitting apparel is probably the last thing you want to wear while eating the feast, but during your shift of cooking, avoid donning any billowy or loose clothing. Fabric that’s far from the body could catch fire from an oven burner or other heat source, Cooksey says, and if you do happen to have long sleeves, push them up.

3. Say farewell to the fryer.

The NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers, as these can lead to severe burns, injuries, and property damage. Instead, if you’re planning to serve a deep-fried turkey, look for grocery stores, food retailers, and restaurants that sell them pre-fried, McKelvey says.

4. Don’t overwhelm your outlets.

“Overloading wall outlets or power strips may cause an electrical fire. Also, ensure that your cords aren’t frayed or have bare wires, which could present a fire hazard as well,” Cooksey says.

The NFPA recommends using one cord per receptacle outlet, McKelvey says, so aim to space things out if you’re managing several appliances.

5. Keep the kitchen a pet- and kid-free zone as much as possible.

Keep your kitchen clutter-free and move any decorations, papers, food packaging, or cleaning supplies at least three feet from any cooking area, McKelvey says.

This “safe zone” also holds true for your little ones and furry friends. “Curious kids and pets can accidentally turn on stove knobs or other appliances, or knock over pots and pans. Nearly 1,000 home fires are started by family pets each year,” Cooksey says.

6. Keep cool if a fire does break out.

If you spy a fire inside the oven, do not open the door. Turn off the oven and allow the contents to cool off before cleaning it.

“If flames do escape the oven, evacuate your home and call 911 immediately,” Cooksey says. “In the event you have a grease fire on the stove, don’t move the pot or pan. Extinguish it in place. Ideally, use a kitchen fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames, but if you don’t have one, use a lid or cookie sheet to safely smother the flames and don’t remove it.”

At that point, turn off the burner and let the pan completely cool. Never throw water on a grease fire, as it can make the fire grow. And, despite what grandma may have told you, don’t use flour, sugar, or salt, either. If you can’t contain the fire, evacuate your home and call 911 immediately.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)

©2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.