Fire officials share tips to keep you safe this Thanksgiving

From deep-frying disasters to oven fires, Thanksgiving is a busy day for firefighters. And with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many of us forget some of the most simple cooking safety rules.

So to save you from becoming the subject of a viral video, CalFire Battalion Chief Rick Griggs is sharing some tips.

“We often see cooking fires on the rise. Often times with the turkey fryers because people aren’t following the directions listed on that fryer,” Griggs said.

Thanksgiving is a busy day for firefighters. In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to nearly 2,000 home-cooking fires.

“Over the years, I’ve been on several of them and they can go from anything to scorching the paint on the outside of the wall to causing the house to catch on fire,” Griggs said.

Griggs said in case something goes wrong, make sure you’re prepared.

“Obviously one of the most important things is to have a fire extinguisher or lid to put over it to stop it,” Griggs said.

Oven fires can easily be prevented by making sure the oven is clean. And when you leave the kitchen, always turn the burner off. If you are cooking on the stove, make sure to turn the pot handles back. That way, little ones aren’t tempted to pull the pots off the stove. If you plan to light some candles, always remember to blow them out.

After you’ve eaten all the turkey and stuffing your body will allow, make sure to refrigerate your leftovers. The FDA recommends that leftovers be refrigerated within two hours.

Griggs said following these tips will help you and your entire family stay safe this Thanksgiving.