For many, Thanksgiving is a time for socializing, eating and relaxing on the couch with a great football game on in the background. It’s also a busy time for food preparation, and adding cooking into the mix can oftentimes lead to accidents. Keep the following tips from Underwriter’s Laboratory in mind, and have a lovely Thanksgiving dinner free of fires and injuries.

• Keep the kitchen clutter-free. Do not overload the stove top with too many pots and pans.
• Never hold a child while cooking. If possible, keep children out of the kitchen while preparing food.
• Never put a glass casserole dish on the stove or over a burner, as it could cause the container to explode.
• Turkey fryers pose a number of safety hazards. If you must use one, watch the video on page 4 for safety tips and recommendations.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen at all times.
• Remove lids from pots and pans by tilting them away from you to avoid hot steam. Likewise, turn all pot and pan handles away from the edge of the stove.
• Ensure shirt sleeves are short, fitted or tightly rolled back when cooking.
• If a small fire starts in a pan, grab a flame-resistant pot holder and smother the fire with a lid. Do not remove the lid until the pan has cooled.
• Remain in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave the room briefly, carry an oven mitt with you to remind you of your task at hand.