Families across the nation are preparing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday season. For many, it will leave memories to be cherished for a lifetime.

Before planning your Thanksgiving meal, safety should be a priority. It is important to think about how to keep friends and family injury-and illness-free.

Cooking mishaps cause some kitchen fires. Unsafe food practices are often the source of foodborne illnesses and other food-safety concerns.

Enjoy a happy and safe Thanksgiving. (Alabama NewsCenter/file)

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, make safety a priority. (Alabama NewsCenter/file)

Here are some tips to safeproof your home:

Create a clean cooking environment:

• Prepare and plan your workspace before you begin.
• Wash your hands often.
• Do not cross-contaminate between food and utensils.
• Change kitchen dish towels frequently.
• Keep your surface tops and cooking utensils clean.
• Quickly clean spills on the floor.

How to properly thaw your turkey:

• Carefully read label instructions.
• Thawing times vary depending on the size of the turkey.
• Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator or the microwave oven.
• Turkeys thawed in cold water should be changed every 30 minutes.
• Do not leave a turkey at room temperature for more than two hours.

Cooking the turkey:

• Choose the right dish.
• Cooking times vary depending on the weight of the turkey.
• Use a thermometer.
• Cook the turkey until it reaches 165 degrees.

Avoid kitchen fires:

• Create a safety checklist.
• Check batteries in fire alarms.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Discuss your exit plan with guests.
• Never leave items cooking unattended.
• Use a cooking timer.
• Do not wear long sleeves while cooking.
• Children should be kept out of the cooking area and at a safe distance.
• Keep flammable items such as pot holders away from stovetop.
• After dinner is served, check all burners to ensure that they are off.

Oven fires:

• Immediately shut the oven door and turn it off.
• Call the fire department if the fire does not go out.
• Make the necessary repairs before the oven is used again.

Microwave fires:

• Immediately shut the microwave door.
• Turn the microwave off and unplug it.
• Make the necessary repairs before the oven is used again.

Electrical fires:

• Use a fire extinguisher.
• Never use water to put out an electrical fire.
• Call the fire department immediately for all electrical fires.

Contributed: American Red Cross and the United States Department of Agriculture.