Stone firefighters will be highlighting the danger of chip pan fires with special demonstrations in the town later this month.
To mark National Chip Week firefighters will be demonstrating just how dangerous a chip pan fire can be outside Morrisons supermarket between 9am and 4pm on Saturday 26th February. And Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging people in Stone to get rid of their chip pans and replace them with deep-fat fryers.
Statistics reveal that Staffordshire has suffered an average of 43 chip pan fires every year since 2005 – and last year saw an 18% increase.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service risk reduction co-ordinator Jess Patten said: “Research tells us more than half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents. Chip pans can cause serious fires because they can very quickly overheat and then ignite.
We attend numerous fires caused by people putting their chip pans on and then falling asleep or getting distracted by a phone call or someone at the door.
“We would urge people to use oven chips or deep fat fryers instead. Deep fat fryers are much safer because they are thermostatically controlled, which means they can’t overheat.”
People who cook chips in a traditional chip pan, are advised to follow these Staffordshire Fire and Rescue fire safety tips – not just during National Chip Week but all year round:
- Don’t overfill a chip pan with oil – never fill it more than one-third full
- Don’t use your chip pan after drinking alcohol
- Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and dial 999
- Never throw water on a chip pan fire.
To book a free Home Fire Risk Check call 0800 0241 999.
