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05/03/2020
Kitchen Safety

Cooking appliances were identified as the cause of 48 percent of all accidental house fires in 2018/19, with cooking being the cause of 51 percent of all non-fatal fire injuries. Many fires could be avoided if safe storage and cooking practices are followed in the kitchen.
What NOT To Do
- Do not leave cooking unattended
- Do not store items on the hob even when it is not being used for cooking
- Do not cook whilst wearing loose items of clothing such as scarves or trailing sleeves as they could catch fire
- Do not leave children or vulnerable adults alone in the kitchen
- Do not use matches or lighters to light gas cookers – spark devices are safer
- Do not put anything that is made of metal or is metallic in to a microwave
- Do not use appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers overnight
- Do not try to cook while under the influence of medication, drugs or alcohol
What TO Do
- Switch off the oven and hob when you have finished cooking or when you leave the kitchen
- Keep electrical leads, tea towels, dishcloths and other items which could catch fire away from the cooker or hob
- Keep the oven, hob, toaster and grill clean – a build-up of fat, crumbs or grease can catch fire
- Ensure you have working smoke alarms on each level of your home and test them every month
- Consider requesting a Fire and Wellness Visit to review fire precautions within your home and receive additional advice and guidance
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Fire Safety in the Home
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