With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Cleveland Fire Brigade is urging people to #StayFireSafe while cooking romantic dinners at home.
Each year, our fire crews typically experience an increase in cooking-related fires and accidents around Valentine’s Day.
Robin Turnbull, Area Manager, Prevention, Protection and Engagement at Cleveland Fire Brigade said “Many of the fires we attend begin in the kitchen and the majority of these could have easily been prevented. One of the main causes is distraction, maybe you’ve got a text from your hot date telling you they are on their way over and you’ve left your cooking unattended while you finish getting ready! Or that song that reminds you of your ex has just started playing in front of your new date and you leave your cooking whilst you skip it! Remember #DistractionIsDestruction; it only takes seconds to cause a serious fire in the kitchen.
So, whether you’re preparing a gourmet meal or whipping up a special dessert, ensure your Valentine’s Day doesn’t go up in flames by following a few of our simple cooking tips:”
- Stand by your pan – take off the heat, turn off the hob/grill if you have to leave the kitchen
- Splashed out on a fancy bottle? Don’t drink and cook – fires start when you are distracted
- Show your cooker some love – remove burnt food and fat from your cooker, hob, grill pan, toaster and microwave
- Dump 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
- Dressed to impress? Don’t wear loose clothing when cooking – it can easily catch fire
- Turned on? Don’t forget to turn off – oven, hob and grill or other appliances when you have finished cooking
- In the event of a fire – Get Out, Stay Out and Call 999.
For more advice on how to keep you and your loved ones safe this Valentine’s Day visit our website.
