Tulsa Fire Chief Offers Tips For Holiday Fire Safety

The holidays are fast approaching, and as we prepare to decorate, cook, and gather with family, Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker spoke with LeAnne Taylor about how to stay safe during the season.

LeAnne: It’s that time of year when people are coming over, and it’s easy to get distracted. Just the other day, I was working outside and thought, “Wow, that was close. I should have been more careful.”

Baker: That’s the key — being mindful, especially in the kitchen. When people arrive, the phone rings and you get distracted, that’s when accidents happen. Many people don’t cook large meals at home anymore; they eat out or prepare smaller dishes. Christmas and Thanksgiving are typically when people cook multiple dishes at once. There are ovens going, and if you're frying, especially indoors, you need to stay vigilant. Always have a lid nearby so if a fire starts, you can quickly cover it, turn off the heat, and let it cool down.

Frying turkeys is something we talk about every year. The turkey must be dry and completely thawed. I’ve personally responded to fires where people were trying to fry turkeys indoors, even in garages. If the weather’s bad, don’t move your fryer indoors or under a covering. Keep it in an open, stable area, and if something goes wrong, shut off the fuel immediately. Also, be cautious with the hoses — they’re rubber and can burn, causing fires involving the tank and fuel.

LeAnne: And with visitors, especially little ones like grandkids, you have to be extra careful. It’s easy to overlook things you don’t usually think about when kids are around, like keeping doors closed and handles turned.

Baker: Exactly. Home safety, cooking safety, and fire safety need to be top priorities. As we transition into Christmas, be careful with live trees and paper decorations. Candles are a particular concern this time of year. Thankfully, many people are switching to LED candles, but if you’re using real ones, be mindful of where they are, especially around children. If you have a live tree, keep it watered, keep pets away, check the lights, and dispose of the tree quickly after the holidays.

LeAnne: Have LED lights helped reduce fires and safety issues?

Baker: Yes, LED lights have lowered the risk because they use less power. But we still need to be cautious. Many people are buying lithium-ion batteries for toys, educational equipment, and other gadgets. As the season goes on, make sure you replace batteries with the manufacturer’s recommended packs to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.

LeAnne: Shifting gears, the city recently made a big announcement about the new Safety Center. I know police and fire will be under one roof. I heard you mention the importance of communication in the facility.

Baker: Yes, the building is well-maintained. Although it’s been empty for a while, it’s had 24/7 maintenance and cleaning, so it's in great shape. The facility has room for growth, which is important. The building meets our square footage needs, and the layout is perfect for both departments. There’s a large hallway separating Chief Larson and me if we ever disagree, but it works well for us!

The Emergency Operations Center will be located there, giving us access to real-time information. It also allows us to consolidate resources from several locations into one. For fire department recruitment, it’s a much better environment than our current headquarters. It’s a central location, ideal as Tulsa’s growth moves east.