Hot oil pans cause more deaths in house fires than anything else in the home. Oven chips or thermostatically controlled fryers are much safer alternatives.

Our top two tips around hot oil pans are:

• If you do use a hot oil pan, don’t fill it more than one-third full of fat or oil and never leave it unattended
• If a chip or fat pan does catch fire, don’t put water on it – get out, stay out and call 999

Please note – we strongly advise that you do not attempt to cook whilst under the influence of alcohol and drugs, prescription or otherwise, that may make you feel drowsy and add to the risk of you falling asleep whilst food is on.