A Thanksgiving warning from the Department of Homeland Security.

What could be worse than burning the turkey on Thanksgiving? 

Burning the house down. The Department of Homeland Security has teamed up with the U.S. Fire Association to raise awareness of Thanksgiving fires. Cooking fires nearly double on Thanksgiving day and are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Here is the proper Thanksgiving protocol to follow:

* Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. 

* If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on. 

* Wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking is strictly prohibited. 

* Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.

* Anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags—shall not be placed near the stove top, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

* Arm yourself with a lid to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stove.

* Turkey fryers must be used outdoors and in an open area away from all walls, fences or other structures. Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck. You’ll need to enforce another “kid free zone” and restrain any pets on the premises.

* After your Thanksgiving guests leave, assign a family member to perform a home safety check to ensure that all candles and smoking materials have been extinguished.