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Taunton Fire Department Offers Cooking Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

November 22, 2021 by jgprstaff

Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department would like to provide safety tips to ensure residents stay safe while baking and preparing their holiday meals over the coming days and 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.

This year, as many families gather after a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Taunton Fire Department urges residents to consider taking precautions to limit the spread of the virus, including getting vaccinated or getting tested prior to gathering.

To prevent seasonal cooking fires, the Taunton Fire Department wishes to share the following tips from the NFPA so families can prepare holiday meals without the risk of danger:

  • Never leave anything cooking unattended.
  • The NFPA discourages the use of deep fryers for cooking turkeys, but those who do use one should do so on a flat surface outdoors and at least 10 feet away from structures, including porches. Turkeys should be completely thawed and dried before being placed in the deep fryer to avoid flare-ups.
  • Stand by your pan! If a grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding the lid – while wearing an oven mitt – over the pan. If safe to do so, turn off the heat source. Do not move the pan, and keep the lid on until the fire is out and the pan is completely cool.
  • 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 Taunton Fire Department at 508-821-1452.

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: cooking safety, holiday cooking safety, Taunton Fire Department, Thanksgiving

Taunton Fire Department Offers Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

November 27, 2019 by Benjamin Paulin

TAUNTON — With Thanksgiving tomorrow, Chief Timothy Bradshaw and the Taunton Fire Department would like to remind residents of several important cooking safety tips.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and the day before Thanksgiving.

The NFPA found that unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. Cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States are dispatched to approximately 166,100 fires annually involving cooking equipment, such as a stove or microwave.

“The Taunton Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving,” Chief Bradshaw said. “Please make sure to keep any flammable objects away from your stove top, like wrappers, pot holders and other items to prevent fires.”

To avoid tragedy this season, the Taunton Fire Department recommends residents follow several safety tips outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • Never leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stove top without supervision.
  • In the event of a grease fire, smother flames with a lid then turn off the heat. Putting baking soda over the fire will also work.
  • Do not move a burning pan because it can cause the fire to spread.
  • Do not throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as water will spread the fire and the extinguisher could splash flaming grease.
  • Do not wear loose or long sleeves when cooking, as it can catch fire.
  • Do not store or use flammable objects, such as pot holders, towels, paper or plastic bags, near heating elements.
  • If a fire starts in an oven or microwave, close the door, turn the appliance off and immediately call the fire department.
  • Do not put metal inside a microwave.
  • Unplug appliances such as toasters and coffee makers when you are not using them.
  • Do not store items in an oven.
  • Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire. Run burns under cool water and call 9-1-1 for help.
  • Keep children and pets three feet away from the stove.
  • Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working prior to the holiday.

Additionally, the NFPA discourages the use of turkey fryers, as the amount and high temperature of the oil used can cause serious burns and injuries, and result in the destruction of property.

Residents who would like more information on holiday cooking safety should contact the Taunton Fire Department at 508-821-1452.

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Filed Under: Taunton FD News Tagged With: Chief Timothy Bradshaw, holiday cooking safety, Taunton, Taunton Fire Department, Thanksgiving

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Taunton, MA 02780

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Taunton, MA 02780

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