More fires start in the kitchen than any other room, and cooking accounts for more than 60% of all accidental house fires in South Yorkshire. 

Cooking Safety

Cooking is an everyday activity and we know that leaving cooking unattended is a major cause of fire.

• 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 or over pilot lights.
• Keep the oven door shut.

Chip Pans

It is when cooking with fat or oil (especially chip pans) that injuries and deaths are most common.

We would always advise people to throw out their chip pans and replace them with a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer.

However, chip pans can be safe as long as you follow some simple guidelines.

• NEVER fill a chip pan more than one-third full of fat or oil.
• NEVER leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on.
• NEVER put the food in the pan if the oil begins to give off smoke. Turn off the heat and leave to cool, otherwise it will catch fire.

Cookers and Microwaves

There are some simple safety guidelines that should be followed while using cooking appliances.

• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from the cooker.
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire.
• Don’t put anything metallic inside the microwave.
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing, it can easily catch fire.

For a free Home Safety Check call 0114 253 2314, or text FREE to 87023, or e-mail: cfsadmin@syfire.gov.uk