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Community & Living
Kitchen Fire Safety
This page provides useful advice for fire safety in the kitchen.
Over 50% of all fire in the home start in the kitchen. There are many hazards to consider, such as cookers, microwaves and other sources of intense heat.
General Safety in the Kitchen
- Don't hang tea towels over a heat source Never put a lighted cigarette down except in an ashtray; empty in to a suitable container outside the building
- Don't place oven gloves near to direct heat
- Ensure all floor coverings are non slip
- Keep detergents and chemicals in a safe place correctly labelled 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
Chip and Hot Oil Pans
- Only fill pans 1/3 full with oil
- Always dry chips before placing in pan
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 and 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
If you Discover a Fire
- Get everyone out immediately
- Close all doors behind you
- Call the Fire & Rescue Service on 999. Any fire, or suspected fire, is an emergency!
- Do not go back into the house until a fire officer has told you it is safe to do so
