"unless something is obviously figurative"
The accounts in Genesis are obviously figurative.
Figurative language is marked by use of metaphors and other figurative type language devices, or things that are "emblematic", meaning that they stand for something. Please explain to me what in the creation account is figurative AND either 1)What the metaphors or other language devices are, OR 2) What the symbols are and what they mean.
Issuing a blanket statement does not make it so. Since the normal way to read is literally, the burden of proof is on you. Otherwise the default setting is literal.