Bismarck, N.D. (AP) A fire department in North Dakota is urging residents to take into consideration safety measures while cooking this holiday season. Bismarck firefighters are advising people to keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven or microwave. They add that children and pets should stay at least three feet away from cooking areas. The department is also reminding residents to never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen. The National Fire Protection Association says cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the country. More cooking safety tips are available at the department's website. ___ Online: www.bismarcknd.gov/fire