As Thanksgiving tables are set and turkeys are cooked, fire officials are encouraging the public to practice fire safety in the kitchen.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and celebration—but it’s also the most dangerous day of the year for kitchen fires. St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson shared critical safety tips to keep your holiday free from disaster.

There are about twice as many fires on Thanksgiving as on the next-closest day, and almost all of them start with unsafe cooking,” according to State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

As families come together to celebrate Thanksgiving, keeping fire safety in mind is crucial to having a safe and happy holiday.

"Thanksgiving is the leading day out of 365 days for home cooking fires and equipment fires," Madison Fire and Rescue's public information officer says.

With Thanksgiving less than two days away, the State Department of Fire Services is urging caution when cooking in the kitchen.

Thanksgiving day is the peak day for cooking fires, occurring with over three times the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Baton Rouge Fire Department Public Information Officer Justin Hill,