INTRODUCTION

Cooking related fires and injuries are at their highest level for over a decade and the chip pan
fire is the most common of all domestic fires (35 per week).
These fires will injure hundreds of people each year, some seriously, so

 

Dont approach the fire.
Don't carry a burning pan.
Don't throw a burning pan through a window
Don't pour water onto the pan, this is the most dangerous thing you can do.

 

These fires are avoidable

Chip pans are only safe when used correctly. Prevention is everything so don't
put your family and property at risk.

The main way in which chip pan fires occur are -:

The oil or fat overheats and catches fire
The oil or fat spills over onto the cooker and catches fire. This occurs when, the pan is overfilled, wet chips are used or the oil/fat is too hot

 

Dealing with a chip pan fire

 

Chip pan on fire Leave the pan where it is. Attempting to move the pan could result in injury.

 

Turn down the Heat Turn off the heat but only if it is safe to do so.

 

Chip pan cooling down If it is safe, place a damp tea towel over the pan to smother the flames. Leave the pan to cool for at least 30 minutes.