Date: Friday, 27th Jan 2023 | Category: Uncategorized
Cook safely and don’t get burnt…
As we move into February there are a couple of dates coming up where people might be thinking of cooking a special meal for the one they love on Valentine’s day (in case you forgot it’s the 14th February) or having a go at tossing a pancake or two on Shrove Tuesday (21st February), so the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service thought it would be a good time to share some tips on cooking safely.
Cooking safely
- Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe.
- Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – this can easily catch fire.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking.
- Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.
- Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out – so they don’t get knocked off the stove.
- Set a timer so you don’t forget when your food is ready.
Take care with electrics
- Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water.
- Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
- Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
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.
When our specially trained Safe and Well advisors carry out one of our free Home Safety Visits, they can offer a range of advice around home safety, bedtime routines, escape routes and electrical safety. They can also fit smoke alarms and other specialist equipment when needed. To find out more call 0800 177 7069 (freephone) or visit our website www.esfrs.org/your-safety/home-safety-visits/.
