Increase in cooking related fires – “Stay Safe in the Kitchen!” urges Fire Service
| June 8, 2012 | Filled under Campaigns, Humberside Fire & Rescue |
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE on cooking related fires has been released by Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
Following a recent increase in the number of accidental dwelling fires in Holderness, around 50% of which are cooking related, firefighters are urging residents to ensure they stay safe in the kitchen.
Community Safety Manager Paul Clucas said: “The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous places in the home, but there are plenty of simple things people can do to keep themselves and their families safe.
“By following our simple advice residents can reduce the likelihood of a fire breaking out, but just in case the worst does happen, ensure you and your family know what to do – make sure you have an escape plan and you have smoke alarms fitted so that you’re alerted to it as early as possible”
The best way to stay safe from fire is to prevent it happening in the first place; by following these tips the risk of fire can be greatly reduced.
Cookers and microwaves
- Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from the cooker
- Keen the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and grease can catch fire
- Don’t put anything metallic inside the microwave
- Take care if you are wearing loose clothing, it can easily catch fire
Cooking safely
- Don’t leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the room. Fire starts when your attention stops
- Don’t use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer
- Turn saucepan handles so they don’t stick out from the hob
- Keep the oven door shut. When you’ve finished cooking, make sure the cooker or oven is turned off
- Take care late at night. Most kitchen fires start between 10pm and 4am. It’s easy to be careless when you’re tired or if you’ve been drinking
Chip pans/Deep frying
- Dry the food before you put it in oil
- Never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil
- If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool
- Use an electric deep-fat fryer. They are less likely to overheat
- Never pour water on hot fat.
Paul Clucas said: “If the worst does happen and a fire does break out, every second counts. A working smoke alarm raises the alarm early, providing vital extra time to get to safety”
Smoke alarms should ideally be fitted on every floor of a property and should be tested every week. Tackling fire is a job best left to professional firefighters. If you discover a fire, get out of the house, shutting the door on the fire if possible and dial 999. Don’t stop to collect any possessions and leave your pets, if possible firefighters will rescue them.
Visit: Humberside Fire & Rescue – Safety Information
Posted from Beverley, England, United Kingdom.
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