Cleveland Fire Brigade is urging everyone to cook with care this Christmas.
Kitchens are the most dangerous room in the house, carelessness cooking can be a recipe for disaster.
Dirty cookers, being under the influence of alcohol, and being distracted and leaving cooking unattended are top of the Christmas list for causing a fire in your kitchen.
From 25 November 2020 to 3 January 2021 nearly 50% of accidental fires in the home were related to cooking. And figures show there has been a 24% increase in accidental fires in the home from April to September this year, compared to the same period last year.
Steve Johnson, Area Manager Prevention said: ‘Hopefully people listen to us and take on our advice, the last thing anyone needs at Christmas is a fire in their home. The damage a fire causes is horrendous and could leave people without a home to celebrate in.
‘Start off on a good footing this year with a clean oven and grill. A build-up of grease provides the fuel for an oven or grill pan fire.
‘There are lots of distractions when cooking, particularly during the festivities, with friends and family visiting. Practical tips can help for food in the oven like setting timers on your phone or using devices like Alexa and Google.
Pans on hobs are more dangerous. Clear the area around the hob from clutter so nothing can catch fire and keep a close eye on pans so they don’t boil dry. If you need to leave the room, turn things off and stay safe.
‘And if you don’t take our advice, home insurance and working smoke alarms are essential; you are four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm.’
Festive cooking tips:
- Stand by your pan – don’t leave cooking unattended
- Don’t drink and cook – alcohol and cooking do not mix
- Keep it clean – a build-up of food deposit and fats can provide fuel for fire
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home
You can take our online Safer Homes check on our website or for advice about smoke alarms call us on 01429 874063.
For more fire safety information visit our website www.clevelandfire.gov.uk or follow us on social media for regular updates.
If a fire does start in your home, do not take any risks – Get Out Stay Out and dial 999.
