Fire Safety

When Cooking – Keep Looking

DB Fire Safety has learnt this week that there have been five house fires across Lincolnshire recently.  Fire crews Kitchen Firehave been called out to properties in Gainsborough, Grantham, Lincoln and Sleaford. It was reported that one of the fires was caused by a man cooking some lamb chops which he left unattended.  Two more involved chip pans which had caught fire.

According to the Fire Safety Advice Centre, approximately two thirds of all domestic fires occur because of cooking.

Because of this statistic, the kitchen must surely be classed as the most dangerous place in your home.

This DB Fire Safety blog covers how to keep your kitchen safe whilst cooking which, in turn, will prevent you becoming one of the 7,000 people injured per year in a house fire.

  • Remember, that when cooking, never get distracted.  Distraction is how most fires occur when cooking is left unattended.  It’s so easy to do and, if truth be told, we have all been there. Perhaps the phone rings or there’s someone at the door.  If you have to leave your pans to answer the phone or door, take the pans off the heat entirely.
  • If you are called away, don’t leave young children unattended in the kitchen.
  • It’s also a timely reminder not to cook whilst under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs.
  • Saucepan handles can be very dangerous – keep them well away from where they can be knocked over and well away from another hot ring.
  • It might surprise you to learn but people do, on occasions, leave the oven door open.  Seems a very careless and dangerous thing to do, but it does happen.
  • Oven gloves and tea towels are another fire hazard when not stored correctly.  Keep them well away from hot rings.
  • Last, but by no means least, clean your grill pan after using it.

Don’t put your life at risk, or the lives of your loved ones.Arrange A Free Consultation

When cooking – keep looking and keep safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire safety tips to keep your family safe during the winter months

DB Fire Safety is disappointed to have to report that the number of house fires increases dramatically during the winter Fire Safety Tips For Wintermonths but by following 12 simple rules you will keep your family safe during winter.

  1. When was the last time you had your boiler serviced? Never skimp on this and always hire a professional. It’s well worth the money to have your boiler serviced once a year.
  2. Wood burning stoves are a very popular choice. It should be noted that the chimney should be cleaned at the end of each heating season and should be inspected regularly.
  3. If you light fires frequently, then you will need to have your chimney swept once a year. Chimney fires occur when soot or creosote deposits in the chimney catch fire.  A wise precaution is to burn wood that’s dry and seasoned so that it produces more flame and less smoke.
  4. Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted and test them at least monthly.
  5. Cover your fireplace with a fire-guard to prevent sparks from leaving the fireplace.
  6. Make sure that your children and pets sit at least three feet away from the fireplace.
  7. Beware of lit candles. Candles can set the mood for relaxation but can easily be knocked over by children and pets. Always remember to extinguish candles when you leave the room.
  8. If you’re going to smoke, try to do it outside and certainly don’t smoke in bed – you wouldn’t want you to fall asleep with a little cigarette in your hand.
  9. Do you know how to put out a kitchen fire? Using water will not help when trying to extinguish a grease or fat fire. If you don’t have a Fire Blanket, you should use a damp tea towel (make sure it isn’t dripping wet). Also keep lids handy to put on top of pots and pans.
  10. Just like business fire drills, families should also have an emergency escape route and plan in place. Teach your family how to crawl to the nearest from every room and also show them how to roll in the event of their clothes catching fire.
  11. Fire extinguishers can be life-savers. It makes sense to store one under the kitchen sink and one in your hall. Make sure you use the correct setting: A for paper, wood and rubbish; B for grease and flammable liquids; C for small electrical fires.
  12. Portable space heaters:
    1. Just like fireplaces, people and pets should not be allowed to sit any closer than three feet.
    2. Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
    3. Only use a portable space heater which comes with an automatic shut off which means that if they are tipped over or reach excessively high temperatures, it will automatically shut off.
    4. Only plug directly into a power socket – never into an extension lead.
    5. Never place a space heater in close proximity to curtains, tablecloths, etc.
  13. All household members should know how to dial 999.   In the event of a fire, every person in the home can be a potential hero if they know what to do.

Please feel free to contact Peterborough based DB Fire Safety for more information.