Cleveland Fire Brigade is asking everyone to keep their eye on the ball and not to drink and cook during the World Cup.
With a third of all house fires caused by cooking, it may be easy to get distracted while watching the games and not taking care in the kitchen.
Robin Turnbull, Area Manager, Protection, Prevention and Engagement said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves but just remember that football, alcohol, and cooking is not the best team selection. You could be paying the ultimate penalty by putting yourself, family and friends and your home at risk from a serious fire. It is the one fixture you don’t need.
If you are celebrating in the pub, it is probably best to make it your own goal to have a takeaway on the way home rather than trying to cook when you get in. If you are at home with friends why not warm-up with the teams by preparing a meal before kick-off.
We want everyone to stay safe as the last team you want to see turn up at your door will be our crews arriving to put out a fire. It will be hot in Qatar so try and avoid making it hotter here. The kitchen is the most dangerous room in your home.
Another danger in the home is smoking. The best result is not to smoke at all but if you do, just remember to put it out and discard cigarettes safely and avoid smoking in bed as you may fall asleep.“
Our message is simple – distraction is destruction, so enjoy the World Cup safely.
Check out these super six top tactics to stay on top of the tournament:
- Stand by your pan – take off the heat, turn off the hob/grill if you leave the kitchen
- Don’t drink and fry – especially after drinking alcohol, fires start when you get distracted
- Chuck out your chip pan – every year they cause 20% of all accidental home fires in the UK. Use a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer or an air fryer instead
- Keep it clean – remove burnt food and fat from your cooker, hob, grill pan, toaster and microwave
- Turn off – oven, hob and grill or other appliance when you have finished cooking
- If a fire does start in your kitchen –Get Out, Stay Out and Call 999.
The campaign runs in the build up to the first game on Sunday 20 November through to the World Cup Final on Sunday 18 December. It includes radio and digital advertising, as well as the support of local takeaway delivery apps in delivering fire safety messages such as Hartlepool Eats.
