As Americans prepare Thanksgiving meals, it is imperative that they keep safety in mind since cooking fires are more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. The incidence of home cooking fires is roughly three times the daily average on Thanksgiving.

In 2004, cooking equipment was involved in 1,040 reported home structure fires on Thanksgiving which was three times the daily average that year.

National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) studies show cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Hundreds of Americans are killed each year due to home cooking fires and thousands more are injured. Cooking fires also cause roughly half a billion dollars in direct property damage to the homes and the belongings inside.

It can be easy to get wrapped up in entertaining guests, but it is important to remember to stay in the kitchen and monitor meal preparation closely as most cooking fires start because cooking has been left unattended.

People may look to vary the traditional turkey entr