Full Notification

Please see the following email message from the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department Chief of Police, Michael Weiser. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Inv. Peter Nickischer



To: Crime Watch Captains, Advisors and Members,

As many of you gear up to spend time with friends and family, you need to be careful as the holiday season can be quite dangerous. Statistics show that 50% of all holiday fires start in the kitchen. In addition, Thanksgiving and Christmas are also one of the biggest traveled holidays on the roadways and many accidents occur while people drive impaired or tired.

In an effort to make the holiday season less stressful, here are some saftey tips to remember.

Holiday Safety Tips:

Plan your trip and drive according to conditions- remember to have a passenger use the cell phone or utilize hands free utility! This largest traveled holiday accounts for the most fatalities.
Wear your seat belt!!! Seat belts are proven to save lives and prevent injuries.
Make sure children are secured in an approved child safety seat. (Remember, BLRPD will check your car seat for FREE!)
Get enough rest and don't try to drive when you would normally be asleep.
If you need to make a phone call, pull off the road and keep your call short.
Don't answer your cell phone while driving. Let your cell phone take a message and pull off the road to answer your calls.
Don't text and drive!!! Taking your eyes off the road for just a second or two can have tragic consequences.
Don't consume alcohol!! Buzzed driving is the same as drunk driving.
Start your holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven. Make sure any old grease or food spills are cleaned up to lessen the chance of a flare-up.
Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from stove burners.
NEVER leave cooking food unattended.
Turkey fryers are for outdoor use away from combustible structures.
If the contents in a pot or pan catch fire, do not touch or try to move the pot or pan as you may spread the fire or burn yourself. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
Never use water on a grease fire. Extinguish the flames with a metal lid or larger pot.
Keep holiday decorations away from heat sources such as stoves, candles or heaters.
Going away for the holiday season. Call us for a house check (610-683-8740) or visit our web site at www.blrpd.org and fill out the form
In the event of a fire or medical emergency, always call 911.
The officers from the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department wish all of you and your families a safe and happy holiday season!



Mike Weiser
Chief of Police
Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department
127 Quarry Rd
Kutztown, PA 19530
(610) 683-8740 X 109