There are lots of ways to prevent kitchen fires taking place. Although you can’t remove every possible source of a kitchen fire, you can minimize fire risks by removing hazards and maintaining your kitchen. Follow these prevention tips to make sure you stay safe in the kitchen:

• Take extra care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid

• Make sure pan handles don’t stick out so they don’t get knocked off the stove

• Take care if wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire

• Keep towels and cloths away from the cooker or hob

• Spark devices are safer than matches or lighters to light gas cookers because they don’t have a naked flame

• Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking

• Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water

• Check toasters are clean and placed away from flammable materials such as curtains

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire

• Don’t put anything metal in the microwave

If a pan catches fire:

• Don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so

• Never throw water over it

• Alert other people in the property

• Leave the kitchen, closing the door behind you

• Phone the Fire and Rescue Service to report the fire