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Kitchen Safety

422 of all accidental house fires for Tyne and Wear in 2009-10 started in the kitchen, but while only 51 accidental fires were sparked by overheated chip pans, the resulting 30 casualties show how dangerous these fires can be.  

Leaving a chip pan unattended for any length of time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite. A simple switch from the pan to the oven or a temperature controlled deep-fat fryer can help prevent the worst.   

You can prevent these fires by using a deep fat fryer or switching to oven cooking. 

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If you do choose to deep fat fry your chips, these all-year-round fire safety tips could help reduce the risk: 

  • Don’t overfill a chip pan with oil - never fill it more than one-third full.

  • Be careful that it doesn’t overheat - hot oil can catch fire easily.

  • Use a thermostat-controlled deep-fat fryer, which will make sure the fat doesn’t get too hot

  • Never throw water on a chip pan fire.

  • Don’t cook after drinking alcohol.

  • In the event of a fire, have an escape route in place.

  • Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and get the fire and rescue service out by dialling 999.

  • Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly.

  • Check that the handle of the pan is not sticking over the edge of the cooker where it could easily be knocked or reached by children

  • Do not cook when you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs

 

REMEMBER IF A PAN WITH FAT OR OIL IN CATCHES FIRE, NEVER THROW WATER ON IT.  

Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, leave the house closing doors behind you and call 999.