Home cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. Public safety officials are reminding Hoosiers that it’s imperative to keep safety in mind as Thanksgiving meals are being prepared.

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

The National Fire Protection Association 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.

For more information about safety this Thanksgiving, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.