Festive fire safety

WITH Christmas less than two weeks’ away, festive food and tasty treats are top priority for most families.

But as families gather and friends visit, kitchen fires pose a real risk at this time of year.

BEATRIZ AYALA speaks to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service about its seasonal campaign to keep all safe and sound in the kitchen.


CHRISTMAS is a season of goodwill and merriment, but it is also a time when the risk of fires in the home, and particularly kitchen fires, can increase.

There may be more people in the home, some people consume more alcohol than they normally would, and those cooking can easily become distracted.

The excitement of Christmas, and the stress of ensuring everything goes as planned, can make it all too easy to forget about basic fire prevention advice.

In Oldham, more than 70 per cent of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen.

A significant number of cooking-related fires start when people come home from an evening out, start to cook something and then fall asleep.

The next thing they know is being woken by firefighters, surrounded by thick black smoke, or waking up in a hospital bed.

The dangers of microwave ovens are also being highlighted by the fire service — aimed at ensuring those few minutes cooking do not turn into the cause of a blaze.

Kathleen Anderson, from Mellor Way, Chadderton, knows just how quickly a microwave fire can spread.

In October, the 76-year-old put a rag pudding in her microwave to heat up and then left the kitchen.

She said: “I’ hadn’t realised there was an actual rag round it. I set the timer on the microwave and went into the other room, but after a few minutes, the smoke alarm went off.

“When I walked back in, there was thick black smoke billowing out from the microwave.

“Luckily, the fire brigade were automatically called out as I live in a warden-controlled apartment.

“There was no damage to my kitchen or microwave but it definitely took me by surprise, I hadn’t expected it at all.”

Simon Wheelwright, community fire safety officer, said: “A house fire can be devastating at any time of the year, but particularly so at Christmas, so we are urging people to remember fire prevention advice as they enjoy themselves.

“In Greater Manchester, we are committed to reducing the impact of fire by ensuring that every home has a working smoke alarm.

“To make certain this happens, firefighters now carry out free home fire safety checks and fit free smoke alarms.

“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has already fitted over 100,000 smoke alarms.

“We also give occupiers a Home Fire Risk Assessment.”

During an assessment, firefighters accompany the householder around their home, identifying potential fire risks, making them aware of how to reduce or prevent those risks and helping them put together an escape plan in case a fire breaks out.

Officers will also ensure there is a working smoke alarm and will fit a free 10-year alarm if necessary.

Residents may also be eligible for a free deep fat fryer, free fire-retardunt bedding pack, energy-saving light bulbs and even a smoke alarm for the hard of hearing.



SAFETY TIPS FOR ELECTRICAL GOODS

:: Keep electrical leads and appliances away from water.

:: Check the toaster is away from curtains and kitchen rolls and not directly under kitchen units when in use.

:: Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used and service them regularly.

:: Don’t overload sockets — only use one plug in each socket. If you have to use more than one plug per socket, use a fused adapter and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps.

SAFETY TIPS FOR FRYING FOOD AND CHIP PANS

: Any type of pan can catch fire — this includes a wok, a grill or a frying pan. Many people wrongly think that because they don’t have a chip pan then they don’t have to worry.

:: When deep fat frying, always dry the food before you put it in oil.

l:: Never fill a pan more than one-third full of oil. If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot.

l:: Swap your chip pan for an electric deep fat fryer.

Fire crews will be at ASDA, Shaw, tomorrow between 10am-3pm offering free fire safety advice.

To book a free home fire risk assessment, call 0800-555 815 or www.manchesterfire.gov.uk .


Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service recommend these simple fire safety tips when using microwave ovens:

:: Before using a new microwave oven, always follow the manufacturers installation and operating instructions and safety precautions

:: Never heat articles that are not approved for use in microwave ovens. Only use microwave safe utensils and follow manufacturers guidance

:: Do not use metal, metal edged bowls, metal foil or even twist ties in microwave ovens. The metal can cause arcing which can lead to fire

:: Never attempt to dry or sterilise clothes or blankets in microwave ovens as a fire may result when the items are removed from the oven

:: Clean your microwave oven regularly as this will reduce a potential fire but always unplug the oven when cleaning

:: Never heat flammable or combustible liquids in the microwave as a fire or explosion may occur.

:: Heating wheat bags has a fire risk so never heat longer than the manufacturer’s instructions and never more than a maximum of three minutes. Adding a cup of water should decrease the risk.