Fire Starts When Attention Stops

EVERY year Grampian Fire Brigade attends over 400 kitchen fires caused by cooking being left unattended. It is when cooking with oil or fat that most injuries and deaths occur. These fires, injuries and deaths can all be prevented. A few seconds inattention when cooking can have terrible consequences - FIRE STARTS WHEN YOURATTENTION STOPS

COOKERS AND KITCHEN APPLIANCES

• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from the cooker.

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and grease can easily catch fire.

• Don't put anything metallic inside the microwave.

• Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used and service them regularly.

• Check the toaster is clean and is away from curtains and kitchen rolls.

COOKING SAFELY

• Don't leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the room. Fire starts when your attention stops.

• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing - it can easily catch fire.

• Never cook if you have been drinking alcohol.

• Use a thermostatically controlled electric deep fat fryer

• When you are finished cooking, make sure the cooker is switched off.

Cooking is an everyday activity, yet over 20 people a day are killed or injured in the UK as a result of fires in their own kitchens. A moment's distraction or being careless with a kitchen appliance is all that it takes. Don't become one of these statistics - STOP FIRE BEFORE IT STARTS!

For further information please contact our Community Fire Safety Department on Aberdeen 01224 696666 www.grampianfrs. org. uk