MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP- - With friends and family in and out of the house, cooking may slip your mind this holiday season, but Meridian Township Fire Inspector Tavis Millerov says paying attention is the key to preventing cooking fires.

Millerov says that to remind yourself you have something on the stove--keep an oven mitt on one hand, and a spoon in the other.

Also remember to keep combustibles, like paper towel, away from the stove, as they can fall in and catch fire.

"Never pour water on a grease fire," said Millerov.

Your best bet to put out a grease fire is to snuff out the fire, by smothering it with the lid or pouring baking soda on top.

Keeping a fire extinguisher in the house is another important way to stay safe.

Millerov says using the acronym "P.A.S.S." is a good way to remember.

P- Pull the pin
A- Aim at the base of the fire
S- Squeeze the handle
S- Sweep back and forth