Kitchens and cooking are the main causes of house fires.
To keep your kitchen safe:
- consider fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen
- do not cook if you have been drinking alcohol, or taking drugs or medication
- keep the grill clean to avoid a build-up of fat or food
- check that your toaster is clean and away from curtains or cupboards
- avoid leaving oven gloves or tea towels on, or near, your hob and oven
While you are cooking:
- avoid being distracted. If you need to leave the hob, take the pans off the heat
- turn saucepan handles so they do not stick out or are over another ring
- take care if you are wearing loose clothing as it could catch fire
- do not put metal in the microwave
- always double-check the hob is turned off when finished
Deep fat fryers
It is safer to use a thermostatically-controlled deep fat fryer to cook chips or use the oven.
If you choose to deep fat fry:
- never fill a chip pan more than a third full of oil
- turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool if it starts to smoke
In case of a chip pan fire, turn off the heat (if it is safe), get out and call 999.
Never use water on a chip pan fire, as it will explode.
