Cook Safely in Foodie February

Cook safely in Foodie February

It's all about food in February with romantic meals for Valentine's Day (14 Feb) and the Chip Pan Safety Week (14-20 Feb).

'Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to think safety first when cooking this month to ensure your culinary delights don't turn into a disaster.

Nick Evans, Prevention Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "This month is guaranteed to have many people in the kitchen cooking with family and friends and we want to make sure you remember it for the right reasons. Just a moment's distraction could turn your kitchen fun into tragedy but following a few simple precautions can greatly reduce the risks.

"I would urge people to first and foremost make sure they have a working smoke alarm installed as this can give you and your loved ones vital time to escape to safety if a fire does break out."

How to cook 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.
• Make sure saucepan handles don't stick out- so they don't get knocked off the stove.
• Take care if you're wearing loose clothing- they 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.
• 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.

For more information please visit the link to cooking safety advice: http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/news-events/webcasts/safety-campaigns/stay-safe-when-cooking

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.