Date: 20th August, 2018
Poole firefighters have issued a safety warning after attending a number of kitchen fires in the area recently.
In the first quarter of 2018/19 crews from Poole attended eight fires in the kitchen, compared with two in the same quarter of 2017/18.Several of the recent fires started after oil or other items including clothing had been left on the hob, or appliances had been turned on and left unattended.
Poole Fire Station Manager Charlie Pack said: “We might be talking relatively small numbers here, but fires in the kitchen can be very dangerous. At any time of year, cooking related fires are a common cause of accidental fires in the home. They are often caused because the occupier becomes distracted by other things. Whatever happens elsewhere in the house, it is important to have one eye on the hob or oven when they are in use.
“It is important to check your smoke alarms weekly, so that you know they are working to give early warning to get out if the worst happens.”
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has the following advice to prevent a fire occurring in your kitchen:
- Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking. Take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk
- If a pan catches fire, don’t take any risks – Get out, stay out, and call 999
- Double check the hob is off when you’ve finished cooking
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob
- Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking and keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe
- Hot oil can catch fire easily – be careful that it doesn’t overheat
- Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly.
For further fire safety advice go to www.dwfire.org.uk