Chip pans are the most common cause of fires in the home..........

On average there are 16,000 chip pan fires a year - that's almost 2 every single hour. Apart from the damage they cause to people's homes, these fires also injure around 3,000 people a year.

Chip pans are of course safe if you use them properly. Below we will explain how you can help prevent a chip pan fire and also how to deal with one should it occur.

The two main causes of chip pan fires are:

1

2

The oil or fat in a pan overheats and catches fire.

The oil or melted fat spills onto the cooker either because the pan has too much oil in or because wet chips causes the oil to bubble up and overflow.
     



Follow these simple guidlines and you'll help keep your kitchen safe.

NEVER fill the pan more than a third full with oil or fat.

NEVER leave the pan unattended with the heat on - not even for a few seconds.

NEVER put wet chips into the pan - dry them before putting them in.

ALWAYS make sure the temperature is correct, place a small piece of bread in the pan and if it crisps up quickly the pan is ready.

NEVER put chips in the pan if the pan starts to give off smoke. Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool - otherwise it could catch fire.

 

    

IF YOUR CHIP PAN CATCHES FIRE.....

  

IF YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE FIRE YOURSELF

 

Don't Panic, do not move the pan.  

Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so but never lean over the pan to reach the cooker controls
Place a fire blanket over the pan and leave for at least 30mins. If you don't have a fire blanket place a damp tea towel over the flames. Never throw water onto the fire.
   

Sick & Tired  of your smoke alarm going off when your cooking or you've just made the fire up?

If your alarm keeps going off it's only doing it's job. However maybe it's not quite in the correct place. Smoke from cooking or an open fire will set off your alarm, consider moving it to another location. NEVER disconnect the battery!!

If you required more advice on chip pan safety or other fire related safety issues, contact us here or call the station on 01623 742222.