Cooking
- Turn off the hob if you leave the kitchen.
- If you're very tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that might make you drowsy, it's safer not to risk cooking.
- Loose cloth can easily catch fire, so don’t lean over a hot hob. Always keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Use spark devices to light gas cookers – they are much safer than matches or lighters, as they don’t have a naked flame.
- Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.
- Never put anything metal in the microwave.
- Always keep an eye on children and pets in the kitchen: don't leave them unsupervised; put matches away
- Keep the toaster, hob, cooker hood and extractor fan clean and in working order. Check your extractor hood filter regularly; a dirty extractor hood can cause fires.
- Keep saucepan handles pointing in and out of reach of kids
- Don’t let liquids splash onto electrics
- All electrical appliances that don’t need to be left plugged in should be unplugged at the end of the day or before you leave the home.
- Ensure that you can safely turn off gas and electricity supplies in the kitchen in case of fire. Have the gas shut off valve away from the cooker itself
- Avoid the use of chip pans, they are notorious for causing fires ; never throw water on a chip pan fire
Deep fat frying
- Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil.
- Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil – oil and water are a dangerous mix.
- If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
Fire protection equipment
- Items like fire blankets and hand held extinguishers are great to have in the kitchen, but remember to ensure they are easily accessible, close to the door, and you know how to use them.
- Only try to extinguish a fire with a hand held extinguisher if it’s small and safe to do so.
- Check the extinguisher gauge and shake occasionally
- If you choose to use a fire blanket, be familiar with and follow the instructions on the packet
- A 3kg dry powder extinguisher would be good for the kitchen at home