LADSON, SC (WCSC) – The Dorchester County Fire Department wants to keep you safe in the kitchen as you prepare Thanksgiving dinner for your family.

The holiday is a time when firefighters see an above-average number of fires in a single day. The National Fire Protection Association reports that the day has three times as many fires as the national daily average.

The main cause of emergencies is unattended cooking. More than 150,000 cooking fires occur nationwide, according to the American Red Cross.

Dorchester County firefighters say they are seeing an increase in cooking fires of up to four percent. They responded to 29 fire calls last November.

Dorchester County Deputy Fire Captain Matthew Weimann says stove and oil fire incidents are the most common holiday emergency calls. Fires can occur when cooking oil or fat becomes too hot and ignites flames on the burner and nearby items.

Weimann recommends keeping the cooking area clean and flammable items away, which reduces the risk.

It also says that the steps you take matter when cooking takes a wrong turn.

“We keep that (oven) door closed, turn off the oven, and then you can always call 911 and we’ll come and investigate,” Weimann says. “The biggest thing to do is never reopen that oven door or take that pot lid off. This reintroduces additional air which causes the fire to grow again.”

The county’s fire and rescue team is part of the South Carolina Fire Safe program. The program allows the department to look at fire statistics to better educate the community about fire safety.

Fire safety starts with keeping emergency tools nearby. Tools include ABC rated fire extinguishers, fire blankets and stands.

“A couple of things we’ve put in place are pot holders that say, ‘Do not leave unattended,’ because we realize we have a lot of cooking fires and fire alarms going off because of pots on the stove causing smoke.” , says Weimann.

Weimann also says choking is the second most common call for vacation first responders. He urges families to eat properly, understand safety responses like the Heimlich Maneuver and call 911 for help.

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