The Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department is offering safet tips for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

Cooking safety tips

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for kitchen and cooking fires. To keep you and your loved ones safe, please follow these essential tips: 

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking any food on the stovetop;

• Do not leave your house while cooking the turkey or other items in your oven;

• Keep children and pets out of the kitchen and away from hot liquids;

• Turn pot and pan handles away from the edge;

• Pick up any tripping hazards — like toys, clothes, and bags — off the floor;

• Never use water to put out a grease fire. 

Turkey frying safety tips

Those people planning to fry their turkey should follow these precautions: 

• Prepare your turkey properly by making sure it is thoroughly defrosted and dry;

• Fill the pot with oil to cover just the turkey, leaving enough room for the oil to rise when the turkey is lowered in;

• Find a safe outdoor location, with a flat surface, away from structures, trees and flammable materials;

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby;

• Never leave your fryer unattended;

• Dispose of cooking grease at the Gilbert Household Hazardous Waste Facility. 

Holiday decorating safety:

Decorating can also lead to injuries like falls, and candles cause more than one-third of home decoration fires. Here’s how to safely decorate your home: 

• Never go up on a ladder alone;

• Do not reach when on a ladder;

• Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, and anything that can burn;

• Blow out candles before leaving the room or going to bed;

• Check your lights to see if they are indoor or outdoor only;

• Turn off all lights and decorations before going to bed;

• Water your live Christmas tree frequently. 

Smoke detector maintenance

With cooler weather, the department recommends now as a good time to clean smoke detectors. Detectors should be tested monthly, cleaned twice a year, have their batteries changed annually and be replaced every 10 years.