Posted: Tuesday 1 March 2022, 07:00
Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of Lent, when hundreds of people throughout the country make pancakes, before they begin a 40 day fast. When you are distracted by the haunting image of a delicious, warm pancake sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar, fire safety may not be at the forefront of your mind!
However, fat and chip pan fires can be devastating, with a very high proportion of fires resulting in injuries.
Station Manager Ian Snodgrass said: “Making pancakes can be lots of fun for the whole family and they certainly can be delicious. However, over half of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen so please take care, especially when cooking with hot oil.”
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service offers the following safety tips when using a frying pan or cooking with hot oil:
- Never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on
- Do NOT move the pan if it is on fire!
- If the pan does catch fire don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so.
- Never throw water over it. Don’t tackle the fire yourself. GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999.
“And when you have finished cooking, make sure that all the appliances are turned off and the cooking area is clear,” added Station Manager Snodgrass.
Working smoke alarms will greatly increase your chances of escaping unharmed. Have an escape plan and follow it - know exactly which way you will leave your home and know where you will go.
For further advice on fire safety visit our website or follow us on social media @DerbyshireFRS.