Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is supporting the national Fire Kills campaign for February ‘Cooking Fire Safety’, and has issued advice to people across Bath on how to prevent fires when cooking at home.
Each year, cooking causes more accidental fires in the home and makes up half of all accidental fires in homes in England.
Group Manager for Risk Reduction at AF&RS, Matt Peskett, said: “Over half of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen.
“I want to remind people to turn off all appliances and make sure the cooking area is clear when they have finished cooking.”
“Also ensure your smoke alarm works properly and if you want more advice book a free Home Fire Safety Visit.”
AF&RS offers free Home Fire Safety Visits where their staff offer fire safety advice and fit free smoke alarms if required.
To book a Home Fire Safety Visit for yourself or someone you care about, visit www.avonfire.gov.uk, call 0117 926 2061 or text VISIT to 07507 319 694.
Fire crews will also be out and about across the Avon area during Cooking Fire Safety month, giving safety advice to members of the public at a number of events.
Advice offered by Avon Fire & Rescue includes:
- 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 – this 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.
