Thanksgiving is almost here – and doctors are getting ready to see a surge in burn patients.

"The things we see around Thanksgiving tend to be due to hot oil or hot water," said Dr. Alisa Savetamal, of the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital.

Savetamal says burn injuries from cooking account for roughly one-third of all admissions to the Connecticut Burn Center.

"Usually. a burn that is going to heal is pink and moist and very painful. A burn that is deeper may feel better. It may not hurt quite as much but that's probably a sign that it's deeper than you think," said Savetamal.

She offers this advice if you get burned at home:

"Cool the burn with cool water – not cold water, but 20 minutes of cool running water over the burn injury," said Savetamal.

Savetamal does not recommend putting ice or a wet towel on a burn.

"One thing to keep in mind is that children and older people have thinner skin and therefore they're more likely to be injured by hot liquids or contact with hot substances," said Savetamal.

She says it's important to come to the Connecticut Burn Center if the wound becomes painful, becomes smelly or if the burn patient develops a high temperature.

She also recommends not leaving pots and pans unattended on the stove.