Cooking
Nationally fires caused by cooking resulted in the highest number of fire injuries. Over 20 people a day are killed or injured in kitchen fires.
Food preparation and cooking are a fundamental activity at this time and happen in almost every dwelling. Cooking means heat, from a variety of sources and types of equipment, so it is not surprising that it leads to a large number of problems and accidents. The effects of alcohol and cooking can increase the danger of fire.
Over 50% of fires reported to fire brigades each year take place or start in the kitchen.
Safety messages
- Never leave chip pans or woks unattended.
- Don't hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker.
- Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire.
- If you're called away from the cooker - by the phone, or by someone at the door - take pans off the heat. It's the easiest thing in the world to forget about them.
- Turn saucepan handles so they don't stick out (and aren't over another ring).
- Keep the oven door shut.
- Never put water on a chip pan fire.
