Shrove Tuesday Safety

Plan for the perfect Pancake Day!...

14 Feb 2010

With many families reaching for the frying pan to make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday [Tuesday, 16 February], Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service wants people to add a special ingredient to the mixture of eggs, flour and milk - safety!

Traditionally Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of Lent, when hundreds of people throughout the country make pancakes, before they begin a 40 day fast. When you are distracted by the haunting image of a delicious, warm pancake sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar, fire safety may not be at the forefront of your mind! However, fat and chip pan fires can be devastating, with a very high proportion of fires resulting in injuries.

Assistant Chief Officer Steve Hamm, Head of Community Safety at Hampshire Fire and Rescue, said:

“In 2009, 16% of the accidental dwelling fires that we attended were cooking related.  Overheated oil in pans, deep fat fryers or dirty ovens and grill pans along with unattended cooking are the main cause of cooking fires. “We want everyone to have a fun family time if they celebrate pancake day - don't let an accidental fire make it memorable for the wrong reasons. It only takes a moment’s distraction, especially if under the influence of alcohol, and you could find yourself facing a serious fire that could take your home or your life.”  

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People also risk serious injury as a result of incidents in the kitchen, so Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service offers the following safety measures to help keep you and your family safe:

• Don’t leave pans unattended. Always take them off the heat if you leave the room - remember, fire starts when your attention stops
• Turn saucepan handles so that they don’t stick out from the hob
• Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil. If the oil starts to smoke, do not begin cooking - remove from the heat and leave it to cool
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean - a build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
• Do not leave items on top of a hob in case it is accidentally turned on
• If you are going out for a night out and may be drinking, try and pre-plan for your return home and take a snack from the fridge or cupboard instead of turning on the cooker for a hot meal

If the pan does catch fire:

• Don’t take any risks - only turn off the heat if it is safe to do so
• Don’t tackle the fire yourself and never throw water over it
• If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call the Fire and Rescue Service

A working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of escaping unharmed.  Have a plan and follow it - know exactly which way you will leave the house, and know where you will go.

• Fit smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• Test your smoke alarms every week
• Change the battery every year (unless it's a 10 year alarm)
• Clean your alarm properly at least twice every year, by vacuuming the inside

Oil and fat fires are not minor - they can and do injure and kill!

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