STAY SAFE

Hazards in the home

Take a look at our video below of a simulated chip pan fireTake a look at our video below of a simulated chip pan fire

Being careless in the kitchen can cost lives. On average 17 people a day are killed or injured in a kitchen fire. Keep yourself and your family safe by reading our essential guide.

Cookers and microwaves

  • Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from your cooker.
  • Keep your oven, hob and grill clean. A build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire.
  • Don’t put anything metallic such a cutlery or tin cans inside the microwave.
  • Never put a sponge or dishcloth in the microwave to sterilise it – it could catch fire.
  • Take care if you are wearing loose clothing – this can easily catch fire.

Electrics

  • Keep electrical leads and appliances away from water.
  • Check the toaster is clean and away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
  • Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used and service them regularly.
  • Don’t overload sockets – only use one plug in each socket. 
  • If you have to use more than one plug per socket, use a fused adaptor and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps.

Frying food/chip pans

  • Remember any type of pan can catch fire – this includes a wok, a grill or a frying pan. Many people think that because they don’t have a chip pan then they don’t have to worry about this kind of fire – this is wrong.
  • When deep frying, always dry the food before you put it in oil.
    Never fill a pan more than one-third full of oil. If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot so turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
  • Swap your chip pan for an electric deep fat fryer. We recommend that you don’t use a chip pan at all as they can easily catch fire. An electric deep fat fryer that plugs into the wall is much safer to use as it won’t get too hot.

Finally… Remember most kitchen fires start between 10pm and 4am after you have switched off your appliances.

Fire safety videos - Kitchen safety