You can prevent it!

  • never leave cooking unattended
  • switch off the oven or hob when you have finished cooking and take pans off the heat
  • keep electrical leads, tea towels and clothing away from the oven and hob
  • remember to clean your grill, hob and oven regularly. A build up of grease and fat can catch fire whilst cooking

If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll

  1. Stop what you are doing
  2. Drop to the ground
  3. Roll to smother the flames

Your kitchen electrical appliances

Good to know

  • essential electrical items such as your fridge and freezer are designed to be left on 24/7 to store food at the right temperature
  • washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are not designed to be left on over night or whilst out of the house. Some may have a timer setting but having the appliance on whilst you’re unable to monitor it creates a risk to your kitchen.
  • work top appliances such as your toaster and kettle should never be positioned near anything which could catch light e.g. curtain, kitchen roll or too close to an overhanging cupboard.
  • always use your appliances as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
Has my toaster, kettle or iron been recalled?  

Be the first to know of any safety repairs or recalls; register your appliance with The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances.

http://http/www.registermyappliance.org.uk/

Alternatively, The Electrical Safety Council provide information of electrical products that have been recalled since 2007. Check electrical product recalls to make sure that your home is safe.

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls/ 

Do you own a chip pan?

  • never leave a chip pan unattended
  • use a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer – this will make sure the fat doesn’t get too hot
  • if you use an open chip pan, only fill it one third full of oil or fat
  • always dry the chips before placing them in oil
  • test the temperature of the oil with a small piece of bread or potato. If it crisps quickly, the oil is hot enough
  • if the oil starts to smoke, don’t put the food in. Turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool
What if my chip pan catches fire?
  • turn the power off to the chip pan, but only if it’s safe to do so
  • leave the room and close the door behind you
  • get out, stay out, call 999
  • disturbing the pan of oil even after the fire is out, can cause it to reignite – allow the Fire Service to remove the pan
  • never use water to distinguish as this will cause a fireball

Cooker safety

Did you know SGN offer free locking cooker safety valve devices that can help people with dementia or autism retain their independence at home and provide reassurance to friends, family and carers.

Find out more

Watch Amber’s Warning

Amber said: “I appreciate everyone’s going to have an opinion and think ‘silly girl, I would never do that’, but I would have said that and then it happened to me.”

 

Amber lost her home, her possessions and very nearly her life, but thanks to a neighbour who called 999 Amber gets to watch her daughter grow up. She’s shared her story in the hope that others will think twice before leaving cooking unattended.

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