More than 50% of the fires that we attend are caused by cooking
Distraction is the main cause of these fires, with pans and grills left to set alight. To avoid accidents in the kitchen, we've put together some top safety tips:
- Look when you cook. Take any pans off the heat if you have to leave the room.
- If your pan does catch fire do not remove or attempt to extinguish it. Get out, stay out and call 999
- Do not use a chip pan, use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer instead
- Do not leave children alone in the kitchen whilst cooking with the hob or oven
- Do not place anything metallic in the microwave
- Keep electrical leads away from water and keep electrical leads and cloths away from the hob
- Avoid cooking if you have been drinking alcohol
- Keep the oven and grill clean, a build-up of fat and grease may catch fire
- Take care if wearing lose clothing as it can easily catch fire particularly when using the hob
- When you have finished cooking, double check that you have turned off the oven
- Do not use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer.
