Chief Scott Fournier and the Berkley Fire and Rescue Department wish to share safety tips with community members as they plan to cook, bake, and enjoy holiday meals over the coming days and weeks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving, Christmas and Christmas Eve are peak days for home cooking fires. During 2017–2021, unattended cooking was the pioneering factor contributing to cooking fires and casualties.
Following tips from the NFPA
To help prevent cooking fires and burn injuries this holiday season, community members are encouraged to review the following tips from the NFPA.
- When using the stovetop, never leave anything cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen when they are cooking on the stovetop so they can keep an eye on the food.
- When simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while the food is cooking and use a timer to remind that they are cooking.
- When frying or sautéing, heat the oil slowly to the temperature it needs. Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter. If see wisps of smoke or the oil smells while cooking, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
- Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, or towels—away from the stovetop.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from things like vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep the kitchen and dining room floor clear so they don’t trip over kids, toys, bags, or other items while cooking or handling food.
- Test the smoke alarms before cooking and make sure the batteries are replaced if needed.
- If they have a cooking fire:
- If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
- If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and leave the door closed. The oven should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.
- If they try to put out a fire, be sure others are getting out and they have a clear way out. When they leave, close the door behind them to help contain the fire. Call 911 after they leave.
Safe alternative of NFPA
Additionally, the NFPA strongly discourages the use of deep fryers for cooking turkeys. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.
Those who do use a fryer should use it on a sturdy, flat surface that is outdoors and at least 10 feet away from structures, including porches. Turkeys should be completely thawed and dried before being placed in a deep fryer to avoid flare-ups. The Berkley Fire and Rescue Department wishes everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
