Kitchen information

Over 50% of all fires in the home start in the kitchen, many as a result of chip pan fires. There are many other fire hazards in the kitchen that you should consider such as such as cookers, microwaves and other sources of intense heat. 

Chip & hot oil pans:-

• Should only be filled to a maximum 1/3 full with oil
• Before placing chips in a pan dry them off on kitchen roll or a tea-towel

Cookers:-

• Never leave hot pans unattended, especially chip pans
• Ensure the correct heat source is switched on
• Don't leave pan handles sticking out from the cooker
• Keep kitchen roll away from the cooker
• Keep the oven door shut
• Don't trail electrical leads across the cooker

Electrical:-

• Make sure electrical sockets are not loose and check that plugs are fused and wired correctly
• Don't overload power sockets - one plug, one socket is safest.
• Don't place a plant pot or anything wet or damp on top of an electrical appliance
• Don't allow electrical appliances or cables near water
• Don't trail extension cables across the floor and check that the cable is in good order

Matches & lighters:-

• Keep matches and lighters out of the children's reach and keep away from heat sources

Toasters:-

• Keep toasters away from curtains and clean out regularly

General safety in the kitchen:-

• Never put a lighted cigarette down except in an ashtray; empty in to a suitable container outside the building
• Don't overfill your waste bin
• Keep knives and sharp objects out of children's reach
• Don't place oven gloves near to direct heat
• Don't hang tea towels over a heat source
• Keep the floor clean and dry
• Ensure all floor coverings are non slip
• Keep detergents and chemicals in a safe place correctly labeled and out of children's reach
• Consider child-proof locks to prevent access by young children
• Ensure all controls are switched off after cooking
• Keep your cooker clean from fat and grease
• Don't risk steam scalds by reaching over the kettle
• Never leave hot liquids in easy reach of children
• Don't dry clothes in the microwave
• Never place metal, reflective or foil containers in a microwave - only use appropriate plastic or ceramic containers