Cooking Safety Tips

Cooking Safely
More than half accidental fires in the home are started by cooking.
Many cooking fires in Lancashire are caused by people getting distracted. Remember: stay there and cook it. If you need to leave for any reason, turn the hob or oven off.

Take pans off the heat or turn the hob off if you’re distracted or called away from the cooker.

Use a thermostat-controlled deep-fat fryer, which will make sure fat doesn’t get too hot.

If you’re going for a night out, prepare some beforehand or visit a takeaway on your way home.

Don’t overfill a pan with oil – never fill it more than one-third full.

Don’t store items on the hob or grill. The heat can easily ignite combustible items. It’s too easy to accidentally turn on the cooker.

Avoid storing items in the oven incase it gets switched on accidentally. If you must store items there, it’s best to keep them clean.

If your pan does catch fire, don’t throw water over it. This is especially important if you’re cooking with fat or hot oil.

Be very careful if you are wearing loose clothing.
Cooking Safety Tips
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Avoid leaving saucepan handles sticking out – children can grab them, or you might knock it off the hob.
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Be wary of loose-fitting clothing when cooking.
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Keep tea towels and dishcloths away from any heat sources.
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Make sure the oven or hob is off when you’re done.
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Do not leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the room, turn the hob off.
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Keep all cooking appliances clean and in good working order.
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Do not use grills or ovens as storage space when not cooking.
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If you’ve been drinking or using drugs, order a takeaway rather than cooking.
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Use a timer while cooking to alert you when a set time is up. This can help remind you to turn off the heat.
Deep Fat Frying
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Do not overfill pans or fryers with oil – keep it to 1/3 full.
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Pat food dry before dropping it in the oil to reduce splashing.
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If your oil begins to smoke, turn down the heat and wait for it to cool.
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Thermostat-controlled fryers are safer because they cannot overheat.
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Never throw water onto an oil fire. This is hazardous.
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Never attempt to extinguish a pan fire. Get to safety and call 999.
Watch our Stay There and Cook It safety video, which encourages you not to get distracted while cooking: