Stay safe on Thanksgiving! Published Nov. 19, 2013 By Fire Department 509th Civil Engineer Squadron WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Did you know according to the National Fire Protection Association that Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment? Here are just a few tips for you for kitchen safety during Thanksgiving from NFPA and your local fire department. - Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top 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. Have a three-foot kid-free safe zone around the cooking area. - Make sure kids stay away from hot food or liquids. The stream or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. - Make sure turkeys are completely thawed before deep-frying. - 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 reach of a child. - Keep matches and utility lighter out of the reach of children. - Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle. - Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. - Have activities planned for kids to keep them busy and out of the kitchen. Involve them in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen area. If you have any questions about Thanksgiving safety, please give Tim Robinson a call at 660-687-6083 or Darren Millard at 660-687-6080.