AVON–Chief Robert Spurr and the Avon Fire Department 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 (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas Eve.
“We encourage all residents to review the following list of home cooking safety tips so they can have a holiday that is as safe as possible,” Chief Spurr said. “You can protect yourself and your family by keeping children and pets away from the stove or hot food, and keeping electrical cords, lighter out of reach from children. Following the tips below will help keep your family safe in the kitchen this holiday season.”
To prevent any seasonal cooking home fires, the Avon Fire Department wishes to share the following tips from the NFPA 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 3 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 cooking safety, please contact the Avon Fire Department at 508-583-5361.
