It’s the holidays again and the Williamsport Bureau of Fire wants readers of the Sun-Gazette to be safe and enjoy these special times without incident.

Williamsport Bureau of Fire Inspector Stephen M. Yonkin, noted how the holidays offer a welcome break from normal routines but how that may also lead to accidents and incidents.

In fact, the leading causes of fires during the holiday season stem from unattended cooking.

Cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as any other day of the year.

Here are some valuable tips to prevent any unwanted fires:

• Inspect and clean the oven and stove prior to holidays using safe cleaning methods and manufacturer’s recommendations. Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals. Simply using warm water, vinegar and baking soda will do the trick.

• Check and change batteries in smoke detectors. Discard outdated detectors and replace them immediately. Test new devices to ensure they are functional.

• Purchase and place carbon monoxide detectors.

• Do not use your oven for storage.

• Even if the stove is not on, do not place objects on the stove as bumping the knobs may cause a fire.

• Do not leave food on the stove that may tempt pets to jump on the stove and accidentally turn on burners.

• Ensure that an adult remains at home, awake and alert, while cooking.

• Use and set reminders when cooking with wind-up mechanical timers or your mobile phone. More activities and guests lead to us all being distracted and losing track of time.

• Ensure that a fire extinguisher is close by while cooking and remember that you should never attempt to use water to put out a grease fire as it will cause the fire to spread quickly and erratically.

• If you choose to deep fry your turkey this year make sure you do so outside, 25 feet away from any structure and that the turkey is fully defrosted prior to lowering it into the fryer. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby as utilizing water may make the fire worse.

• Keep hallways and doors clear of storage. Keep your exits unblocked.

• Plate warmers, pressure cookers, slow cookers and other culinary heating devices should be plugged directly into electrical outlets. Avoid using surge protectors and extension cords. Ensure these devices cannot be accidentally pulled down by children, adults or even pets.

• Be mindful not to place hot liquids near children (coffee, tea, gravy, water).

• Do not leave lit candles unattended or near combustibles.

• Have your furnace and or chimneys cleaned professionally.

“Many of us will be inviting friends and family that will be guests in our homes for the first time,” Yonkin said. “Take time to talk to children to remind them not to touch or reach for anything on the stove and educate them at the risks of doing so.”

Also, he added, ask children to not play or run in the kitchen.

“If you plan on having many children attending, perhaps it would be a good time to purchase or borrow a simple child safety gate to keep the little ones out of our busy kitchens and safe from harm,” Yonkin said. “You may even consider using colored tape on the kitchen floor a few feet around the stove and other hot items to create a danger zone that children can see and avoid. Take time to praise and congratulate children for following the safety rules in your home as it will help ensure that the desired behavior continues.”

Meanwhile, in preparation for December holidays:

• Inspect decorative lighting for broken bulbs, frayed wires, damage to insulation or loose connections.

• Discard damaged lighting.

• Consider LED lights as they generate less heat and use less electricity.

• Avoid connecting more than three strands of lights at a time.

• Keep decorations away from heating sources.

• Avoid overloading outlets and plug into grounded outlets.

• Check light strands after plugging them in to make sure they are not warm to the touch.

Lights should not be unattended. If purchasing new lights, or decorations, check that they are marked “UL Listed.” Surge protectors and extension cords should also be UL Listed and rated for the amount of power they will be used for.

“On behalf of all of us at The Williamsport Bureau of Fire, have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.”