Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means the kitchen will be filled with family, friends and lots of activity. Taking a few fire safety precautions is a smart way to keep everyone safe and ensure a happy holiday experience.

The National Fire Protection Association has published some safety tips to make your Thanksgiving safer. Click below to watch the whole video. We’ve pulled out the main points for you.

1. Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the top of the stove.

2. It takes a while to cook a turkey, but that is no reason to wander off. Don’t go far from the kitchen, and be sure to check the turkey frequently.

3. Keep children at least 3 feet away from the area you are cooking in. Also, make sure matches and utility lighters out of their reach. The best place is high up in a locked cabinet.

4. Test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working. You can do this by pushing the test buttons located on each device.

5. If a fire does occur, get out. After your family and you are safely outside, call 911. 

Some additional tips from the NFPA website:

1. If you have a candle lit, never leave a child alone in the room with it.

2. Make sure children cannot reach knives.

3. Keep electric cords (such as those found on coffee makers, plate warmers and mixers) from dangling off the counter where a child could reach them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If a fire does break out in your home, a home security system that includes smoke detectors can mean the difference between life and death. Seconds matter when you find yourself in a home fire. Properly working smoke detectors can warn you of the fire long before you may be aware that it has begun.