Thanksgiving is the most common day for cooking fires; follow simple tips for a safe holidays

On Thanksgiving more cooking fires are reported than on any other day of the year. In 2013, a total of 1,550 cooking fires were reported, 230 percent above the average number of fires per day, says the National Fire Protection Association. The days with the second and third most cooking fires were Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. With that in mind, it's a good time to remind readers to practice safety when cooking this holiday season.

Here are safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. 
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. 
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay 3 feet away. 
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. 
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags. 
• Keep knives out of the reach of children. 
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. 
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children—up high in a locked cabinet. 
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle. 
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.