Cooking

Read the latest safety information about how to protect you, your family and your home from a kitchen-related fire:

• Keep looking when cooking – don’t get distracted;
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing;
• Keep tea towels, cloths and other items away from the oven and hob area;
• Never leave cooking unattended, if you do need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk; 
• Don’t cook if you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking medication;
• Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe;
• Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out so they don’t get knocked off the stove;
• Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking;
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.

• Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water;
• Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls;
• Deep fat frying;
• Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily;
• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn’t splash;
• If the oil starts to smoke – it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool;
• Use a thermostat-controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can’t overheat. 

Don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.

Don’t tackle the fire yourself – Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.