Operation Shield

Staff from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up with Cheshire Police on 'Operation Shield'- working together to pass on fire and crime prevention advice to residents.

Operation Shield is a burglary initiative to protect property and business in Cheshire through a unique forensic DNA liquid which links stolen property – and the offender – to the crime scene.

Fire safety staff joined the operation to also pass on vital safety messages around cooking safety, which is the major cause of accidental house fires.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin said: "This was a great opportunity to work with our partners in the police and pass on our safety advice at the same time.

"I hope the increased activity in the area will have a greater impact and get residents more engaged so they will come away well informed about how to cook safely and protect their homes and their loved ones from the potentially devastating impact of a house fire."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts from Cheshire Police said; "Operation Shield is about protecting property and businesses in Cheshire through a unique forensic DNA liquid which links stolen property – and the offender – to the crime scene.

"Every year we recover items which we struggle to re-unite with their owners simply because we have no way of knowing who they are. With this system your property can be traced back to you quickly and easily even if it is recovered from the other end of the country.

"Working together with Cheshire Fire and Rescue gives us a great opportunity to get important messages around staying safe and secure in your own home to local people."

How to cook safely

• Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob
• 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.
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
• 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

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