"DON'T burn the turkey" is the message from firefighters over Christmas, as cooking related fires continue to be the most common in the home.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has issued a safety warning following figures released by two north Kent fire stations.

Thames-side in Coldharbour Road, Gravesend revealed between January and November 2006 there were 55 accidental dwelling fires (ADF), with 34 caused by cooking.

In the same period this year there was 54 ADF’s with 29 cooking related.

Station manager Steve Dunn said: “While people are in their homes over the festive period I expect we will see an increase in cooking-related fires, unless people take extra care not to forget the dangers of leaving cooking unattended.”

Figures in Dartford in 2006 showed there were 29 ADF’s with 11 of these caused by cooking and this year out of 27 fires 13 were cooking related.

Dartford Station Manager Steve Appleton added: “People feel very comfortable in their own homes and it’s easy to lose concentration when cooking.”