At Bojangles, we know that great food brings people together—but cooking also comes with responsibilities. We recently had the chance to speak to an expert on fire safety – Tennessee Teacher of the Year, Bryan Kerns, who teaches fire safety and math at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport. Not only is Bryan a rockstar teacher, but he also championed the development of the Dobyns-Bennett Fire Program, which has helped over 30 young men and women enter careers in the fire and emergency services industry. Additionally, he serves as the President-elect of the Bays Mountain Park Association Board and is the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network Landscape Lead for the Unaka and Great Smoky Mountains Escarpment.

During Fire Safety Month and knowing many of us will be in the kitchen preparing meals for the upcoming holiday season, we spoke to Bryan and his students about the fire safety tips they’ve learned in class and how they apply those lessons at home.

Here’s what they had to say:
What are the most important fire safety tips you’ve learned in class?

  • Cleaning up any excess grease and keeping flammable materials away from heat sources is key to preventing fires.
  • Make sure your cooking appliances are clean and properly maintained.
  • Keep electric appliances away from water, avoid using extension cords, and make sure you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets installed in the kitchen.
  • Always monitor your food, and when needed, use timers to remind you to check on it.
  • Avoid loose-fitting clothes and jewelry and tie up long hair. Natural fibers are preferred as they are less likely to catch fire.
  • Make sure you have the right extinguisher for your environment—Class A, B, C for home use and Class K in industrial kitchens.
  • Never use water on a grease fire, instead, cover it with a lid or use baking soda.
  • Always keep the lid open when lighting a gas grill.

Fun ideas to help your family remember fire safety tips:

  • Post rules on the fridge as a visible reminder for everyone in the house to follow.
  • Sing fun tunes about cleaning up and fire safety, making it easier to remember important rules.
  • Encourage young chefs by giving them recipes with low fire risks.
  • Teach everyone in the family the “P.A.S.S.” method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for using an extinguisher.
  • Stop, Drop, and Roll: A classic reminder for what to do if your clothes catch fire.

Why is fire safety such an important topic?
Bryan emphasized the importance of teaching fire safety tips early and often, saying, “As my high school students grow into adults, they’ll face dangerous situations at home and at work. I love knowing that each of my students will be more effective citizens in both fire prevention and response.”

Bryan’s advice for parents
“Invite your kids to participate in food preparation at home. Guided practice and safety instruction in the kitchen not only makes meals more meaningful but also teaches important life skills.”

Here’s a key step to remember before you start cooking:
“Before anyone starts cooking, the most important thing to do is make sure the kitchen is clean,” one student shared. “A clean workstation and clean appliances help prevent accidents.”

We HAD to ask the students their favorite Bo menu item, and hands down, students recommend the Cajun Filet Biscuit to anyone new to Bojangles.
“The crispness of the chicken breast, the spice of the seasoning, and the soft, buttery flavor of the biscuit—it’s the perfect combination!”

We are so proud of Bryan’s accomplishments in and out of the classroom and are honored to be the sponsor of Tennessee’s Teacher of the Year program. To learn more about this year’s awards, click here.