Traditional chip pans can cause fatal fires, so firefighters are urging you to swap chip pans for other way of cooking chips - to keep you and your family safe.

Safer ways to enjoy chips

• Choose oven chips

• Choose microwave chips

• Buy a portion of chips from the local chip shop

• Buy a thermostat controlled electric deep fryer - ditch the chip pan

Chip pan safety tips

If you must use a traditional chip pan, please follow these fire safety tips:

• If the oil starts to smoke it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool, otherwise it may catch fire

• Never fill a pan more than one-third full of fat or oil

• Never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on.

• Make sure that food is dried thoroughly before putting it in hot oil so that it doesn’t spit

• Never deep fry if you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs - or if you are feeling tired

What to do if a pan catches fire

• Turn off the heat under the pan (if it’s safe to do so) and allow it to cool completely

• Don’t tackle the fire yourself-  leave the room, close the door, get everyone out of your home and call 999.

Leaflets - chip pan safety

Chip pan safety leaflet (new window, PDF 522KB)

Love chips leaflet - after drinking alcohol, go to the chip shop, don't cook at home (new window, PDF 528KB)