As fans gear up for Super Bowl festivities, the City of Brookfield Fire Department reminded everyone, "Never leave cooking appliances unattended — cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires," and to keep flammable items like dish towels and curtains away from heat sources. They also suggested using timers to stay on top of cooking while enjoying the game, as reported by the Brookfield Fire Department.
For food safety, officials warned about the "danger zone" where bacteria multiply rapidly and advised, "Use a food thermometer to make sure meats (like chicken wings) reach safe internal temperatures — e.g., 165 °F for poultry." They emphasized keeping hot foods hot (≥140 °F) and cold foods cold (≤40 °F) to prevent foodborne illness, as stated by the Brookfield Fire Department.
According to the Brookfield Fire Department on their Facebook page, hosts should “Replenish small amounts of food throughout the game instead of one big spread to keep temps safe,” and “Chill leftovers quickly — divide into shallow containers so they cool faster before refrigerating.” They also advised that appliances “Still place them away from flammables and use timers,” and reminded that “Ovens and warming trays still generate heat — keep them clear of clutter and never assume they’re completely safe when you walk away.”
