Practicing to be the next Master Chef, or simply preparing your weekday tea, whatever your reason to venture into the kitchen, don’t let it turn into a Kitchen Nightmare! That’s the message from firefighters as part of a new campaign to reduce the number of accidental house fires in Derbyshire.
Since April 2023, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has responded to 327 accidental fires in homes across the county with 72 people being injured or killed. Out of all these accidental fires, nearly half were caused by cooking.
This is this reason DFRS has timed the launch of its latest fire prevention campaign 'Kitchen Nightmares’, ahead of Easter, a time when traditionally families get together to enjoy the celebrations, with the kitchen often a focus.
Kitchen Nightmares aims to highlight the dangers associated with cooking and raise awareness of safe cooking practices.
Speaking at the start of the campaign, Prevention Group Manager David Diggins, said: “Our data tells us that cooking is the main cause of house fires in Derbyshire. We want to work with our communities to change that by providing advice to keep people safe and reduce the number of accidental kitchen fires that we attend.
“Kitchen fires can happen to anyone, but often can be prevented by taking a few simple safety steps.
“Our message is: Don’t have a kitchen nightmare of your own. Please take extra care in the kitchen and familiarise yourself with our advice on how to cook safely.”
Alongside steps to help prevent accidental fires in the home, residents are being encouraged to share safety tips with their loved ones and help them complete a DIY Home Fire Safety for personalised advice to reduce the risk of fire in the home.
Group Manager Diggins added: “Our Kitchen Nightmares campaign is not just about taking care of your own fire safety in the kitchen but your family and friends too, particularly in they are older or more vulnerable.
“They might not be aware of the risk they are putting themselves at so I would encourage everyone to also use our online DIY Home Fire Safety check for personalised advice. It takes just 15 minutes and could save the life of someone you care about.”
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to follow these top tips to reduce the risk of a kitchen fire:
- Distractions when cooking cause accidents - if you need to step away, turn off the heat!
- Keep it clean – keep your hob, oven and grill clean and in good working order to help stop fat and grease from catching fire
- Keep it clear – make sure your hob and surrounding area is clear of clutter with nothing left on top which may set alight if the hob is accidentally turned or left on
- Don’t cook after drinking alcohol - order a takeaway instead or leave the drinking until the cooking is finished
- Take extra care when cooking with oil – only fill your pan one-third full as it can ignite easily
- If a pan catches fire - don't take any risks. Never throw water over a pan with fat or oil in. Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.
Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them weekly.
For more information on fire safety in the home or to carry out a DIY Home Fire Safety Check, please visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk.