Families across Teesside were being urged to hand over their chip pans and use healthier (and safer) alternatives last week with the added endorsement of two Middlesbrough football legends.
NHS Tees teamed up with Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Cleveland Fire Support Network to hold a “Ban the pan” event at the Life Store in The Mall, Middlesbrough, highlighting the health and safety risks associated with using chip pans.
Former Boro players Craig Hignett and Gary Pallister joined firefighters and health trainers in the Life Store for the event which took place on Monday 15 February to encourage local families to get involved.
The Ban the Pan event included a display outside The Mall by firefighters on the danger of chip pans and the chance to sign up for a free home fire safety visit.
Health trainers from NHS Middlesbrough also served free healthy wedges and dips to show how easy it is to make delicious alternatives to fried chips.
Every year in the UK more than 8,000 fires, 3,000 injuries and 30 deaths can be attributed to chip pan fires. Cleveland Fire Brigade also has statistics which suggest 41% of house fires start in the kitchen. Their tips to safety are:
- Get rid of your old fashioned chip pan
- Never leave pans unattended
- Do not attempt to tackle fires yourself
If home fire safety is something people are concerned about they can call 01429 874063 or
click here to book a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit.
David Atkinson, Health and Wellbeing Manager for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “Our aim is to Ban the Pan forever. So if you still have a chip pan or know someone who has, please call us and we will call round and collect it. We collect them all year round not just in National Chip week. "
Peter Heywood, Locality Director of Public Health for NHS Middlesbrough said: “Swapping fried chips for oven cooked wedges is a simple way to reduce your fat intake. It also reduces the risk of a house fire which could potentially have devastating consequences.”
Heather Whyman, Chief Executive of the Cleveland Fire Support Network, who leads on Ban the Pan for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “Volunteers lead on the promotion of the Ban the Pan campaign. I am overwhelmed by the support we have received from the Cleveland Fire Brigade in regards to promoting the Ban the Pan campaign, volunteers from within the community of Cleveland offer their time freely to promote a stronger safer environment for everyone in the Cleveland area.”
Interested in the variety of volunteering opportunities within the Cleveland Fire Support Network?
You can find out more here.
