Common kitchen fire hazards and how to avoid them | Tenant news

Many of us would agree that the kitchen is the heart of the home, where families gather and home-cooked favourites come to life, but London Fire Brigade data reveals a not-so fuzzy fact - 60% of domestic fires start in the kitchen.

Read our top tips below to learn some basic safety measures that will help keep you and your family safe.

Ovens and grills

One of the most common causes of oven fires is grease buildup. Over time, cooking oil, fats, and food particles can collect inside your oven, and when heated these deposits can ignite.

Keeping your oven clean is the best way to avoid buildups. Make sure you wipe the walls, bas of the oven, and door to remove any grease or food scraps.

Always wait until the oven has cooled before cleaning to avoid burns, and use a tray to catch fat or drips when cooking fatty foods such as bacon or roast meat.

Never leave your oven or grill unattended while they’re on. If you need to step away from the kitchen, turn off the heat first to avoid accidental flare‑ups.

Pan and hob hazards

Always keep saucepan handles turned inwards to stop them being knocked.

It’s also a good idea to avoid cooking if you‘ve have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that can make you drowsy.

Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing - especially loose sleeves. Roll sleeves up, or maybe even change your top to be extra safe.

If oil starts to smoke, switch off the heat immediately and leave it to cool. Never pour water on burning oil as it can cause the flames to spread rapidly.

In the event that a pan catches fire, if it can be done safely, carefully cover the pan with a lid to smother the flames while keeping a safe distance.

And while tea towels, oven gloves, recipe books and plastic bags are all kitchen staples, they should not be stored close to the oven or hob.

Electrical safety

Meanwhile, everyday appliances like toasters and kettles can be dangerous if not used correctly.

Place your toaster well away from curtains or blinds, and anything else flammable such as kitchen rolls. Make sure it’s not under overhanging cupboards before use, and empty crumbs regularly.

Don’t overload sockets – use one plug in each socket. If you have to, use a fused adaptor and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps (a kettle alone uses 13 amps). And note that high-rated appliances, such as washing machines, always need their own socket.

Finally, aways remember to turn off electrical appliances when not in use. Have them serviced regularly, and keep both appliances and their leads away from water, heat, or flames.

For more advice on fire safety, visit www.habinteg.org.uk/fire.

************