More than half (53 percent) of all Americans admitted they walk away from the kitchen while cooking. And considering the fact that unattended cooking tops the list of home fire causes, that's not good. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

As Americans across the country prepare their holiday feasts, many are unaware of the avoidable hazards involved in this seemingly simple task. According to a survey conducted by Lowe's Home Safety Council, 53 percent of Americans admit they leave cooking pots and pans unattended.

"According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. is unattended cooking," explains David Oliver, executive director of Lowe's Home Safety Council. "When cooking on an oven range, always stay in the kitchen to monitor the food preparation. Never leave an open flame unattended, even if it's on your stove."

• Have a general-purpose fire extinguisher in the kitchen - and make sure adults know how to use it
• Extinguish grease fires by sliding a pot lid or larger pan over the fire, turning the burner off and leaving the fire alone until the pot cools.
• Never disable smoke alarms, even when cooking.
• Instead, all alarms should be installed in adjacent rooms - not the kitchen - as it can give false readings based on inevitable smoke from cooking..

The safety risk doesn't end when the burners go off. Leftovers are also a hazard because most Americans (56 percent) save their turkey leftovers for three or more days. To prevent the spread of salmonella or spoiling of food, food experts recommend that all refrigerated turkey should be eaten within the first 48 hours of cooking. If you freeze your turkey leftovers, eat them within two months.

More holiday cooking tips:

• Avoid loose-fitting clothing when cooking (such as long open sleeves) which can easily be ignited by hot burners.
• Never leave the kitchen unattended when something is cooking on the stove.
• Always turn pot handles inward to prevent small children from reaching a hot pan.
• Don't store items on the stove top - they could catch fire.
• Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition. Turn off appliances after use.
• Don't overload electrical outlets. Check appliances for frayed or cracked wires.
• Do not use electrical appliances in or near water.
• Be sure the kitchen is well ventilated or keep a window cracked to help prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide from gas cooking appliances.
• Have a kitchen fire extinguisher nearby.
• Use chafing dishes with caution.