BERKLEY — Chief Scott Fournier and Berkley Fire Rescue would like to provide safety tips to ensure residents stay safe while baking and preparing their holiday meals over the coming weeks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
“Ahead of the holiday season, we encourage all residents to remain vigilant while baking and preparing their holiday meals,” Chief Fournier said. “Residents should also be mindful of additional cooking hazards such as children and pets near the stove.”
To prevent any seasonal cooking home fires, Berkley Fire Rescue wishes to share the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association so families can prepare holiday meals without the risk of tragedy:
- Never leave anything cooking unattended.
- Stay home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children and pets away from the stove. Kids and pets should be kept three feet away from the stove.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee can 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 matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Keep the kitchen and dining room floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags while cooking or handling food.
- Test your smoke alarms and make sure their batteries are replaced if needed.
If you have any questions about home cooking safety, please contact Berkley Fire Rescue at 508-822-6354.
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