Cooking safety tips

More than half of accidental fires at home are started by cooking - often when cookers and grills are left unattended.

A few simple measures will keep you and your loved ones safe.

Cooking safely 

• Make sure saucepan handles don't stick out - so they don't get knocked off the stove.

• Please don’t leave items on hobs as this can cause a fire.

• Take care if you're wearing loose clothing - it can easily catch fire.

• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob. Make sure they are completely clear - animals can and do accidentally turn them on.

• Double check the cooker is off when you've finished cooking.

• Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob.

• Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order.  A build up of fat and grease can ignite.

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.

What to do if a pan catches fire

• 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.

Leaflets - cooking safety advice

• Leaflet - dirty grills kill (new window, PDF 277KB)

• Leaflet - chip pan fire safety (new window, PDF 522KB)