As families across Hawaii prepare to cook their Thanksgiving meals, the Honolulu Fire Department is urging residents to prioritize safety in the kitchen.

The Harrisonburg Fire Department emphasized the importance of cooking safety for the holiday and preventing fires from spoiling the day. Lt. Erin Stehle with HFD said patience can save lives and prevent injuries when cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

According to fire officials, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires from happening, especially during a time when a lot of people are in their kitchens cooking up that Thanksgiving meal.