Thanksgiving is one of the most popular days for cooking in the country. It also is the leading day for home cooking fires.

For that reason, fire officials are stressing caution when cooking, whether it be the turkey and dressing or those pumpkin pies that have become holiday staples through the years.

"The main thing is being extremely cautious when using heat-producing cooking appliances so someone does not get burned, especially small children who do not know the consequences and dangers of heat," Lenoir Fire Department Lt. Sam Smith said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters across the United States responded to nearly 1,300 fires involving cooking equipment in 2007, about three times the daily average for cooking fires.

"Incorporating fire safety into your holiday preparations can mean the difference between putting on a fantastic holiday feast for family and friends or having to call the fire department to put out a fire," said NFPA's Vice President of Communications Lorraine Carli.

In general, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. From 2003-2006, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated average of 150,200 home structure fires involving cooking equipment each year. Those fires caused approximately 500 civilian deaths, injured nearly 4,700 people and caused more than $750 million in property damage.

Additional findings from the report on fires during 2003-2006 revealed that cooking equipment was involved in 40 percent of all reported home fires, 17 percent of home fire deaths, 36 percent of home civilian injuries, and 12 percent of the direct property damage resulting from home fires.

Unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in the fires. Something that could catch fire was too close to the equipment ranked second, and unintentionally turned on or not turned off equipment ranked third among fire causes.

Nearly 60 percent of reported home cooking fire injuries occurred when victims tried to fight the fire themselves.

Smith said the goal with any holiday gathering is to share it with family and friends in a safe manner.

"The last thing you want is to have your holiday marred by an incident involving a fire," Smith said. "It should be a time for family and being together."

To have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving with a bountiful meal, the NFPA recommends the following cooking safety tips:

Use caution when cooking

* Stay alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don't use the stove or stove top.

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

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

* Keep anything that can catch fire -- oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains -- away from your stove top.

If you have a cooking fire

* Keep a lid nearby when you're cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

* For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

* If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out, and you have a clear way out.

* When in doubt, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

* Call 911 or the local emergency number after you leave.

For more information about cooking fires or any other kind of fire information, visit the NFPA's Web site at http://www.nfpa.org.