Don’t leave your cooking unattended this Shrove Tuesday

Families are being reminded of some top tips to keep everyone safe in the kitchen this Shrove Tuesday.

More than half of all accidental fires that take place in the home are cooking related and with any families, including young children, getting involved in making pancakes and practising their flips, it’s important to keep safety in mind.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is reminding people to never leave cooking unattended and of the simple steps you can take to ensure everyone has a fun and safe time.

GMFRS’ Shrove Tuesday top tips:

• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from your cooker
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing while cooking with gas
• Remember any type of pan can catch fire - this includes a wok, a grill or a frying pan
• Never fill a pan more than one-third full of oil. If the oil starts to smoke, it's too hot - turn off the heat and leave it to cool down

If your pan does catch fire:

• Don't panic and never take risks
• Don't move or touch the pan
• Never throw water or use a water fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire
• If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls
• Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don't go back inside for any reason
• Call 999

A working smoke alarm gives you vital extra time to escape if a fire did occur in your home. Before you turn the cooker on to make your delicious pancakes check your smoke alarm is working by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.

You can book a free Safe and Well visit, which can include the fitting of smoke alarms on every floor of your home, by calling 0800 555 815.

25/02/2020 08:00 AM