422 of all accidental house fires for Tyne and Wear in 2009-10 started in the kitchen, but while only 51 accidental fires were sparked by overheated chip pans, the resulting 30 casualties show how dangerous these fires can be.
Leaving a chip pan unattended for any length of time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite. A simple switch from the pan to the oven or a temperature controlled deep-fat fryer can help prevent the worst.
You can prevent these fires by using a deep fat fryer or switching to oven cooking.
If you do choose to deep fat fry your chips, these all-year-round fire safety tips could help reduce the risk:
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Don’t overfill a chip pan with oil - never fill it more than one-third full.
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Be careful that it doesn’t overheat - hot oil can catch fire easily.
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Use a thermostat-controlled deep-fat fryer, which will make sure the fat doesn’t get too hot
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Never throw water on a chip pan fire.
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Don’t cook after drinking alcohol.
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In the event of a fire, have an escape route in place.
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Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and get the fire and rescue service out by dialling 999.
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Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly.
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Check that the handle of the pan is not sticking over the edge of the cooker where it could easily be knocked or reached by children
- Do not cook when you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs
