Press Release from Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service

Banish Chip Pans and Stay Fire Safe

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting National Chip Week (February 11 - 17 2008) by urging people to take more care when cooking chips.

According to Communities and Local Government Fire Statistics, the kitchen is the main room where accidental fires occur and in 2005 30,512 fires were reported so it is vital to reduce fire hazards and cook safely.

GFRS Chief Fire Officer, Terry Standing said: “We are calling on all county residents to re-think how they cook their chips.

“Rather than using chip pans, which can be dangerous, we want people to consider healthier, safer alternatives like oven chips.

“Chip pans can cause fatal fires - for a far safer chip we say banish the chip pan and don’t take the risk.”

Here are some alternative ways to enjoy chips:

• Choose oven chips instead. Not only are they safer to cook but they’re lower in fat too.

• Microwave them. It’s quick and easy.

• Instead of cooking chips at home, why not buy a portion of chips from the local chip shop?

• If you will do fry your chips, then cook them safely, use an electric deep fryer and ditch the chip pan.

If you must cook chips in a traditional chip pan, you should follow these 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 cook after drinking alcohol.

• Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and dial 999.

• Don’t throw water on a chip pan fire.

• In the event of a fire, have an escape route in place.

• Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly.
  

For further advice on fire safety visit www.firekills.gov.uk or contact your local Community Fire Station through our switchboard on 01452 753333.

ENDS

7th February 2008

Notes to editors:

National Chip Week: February 11 - 17 2008

Contacts:-For further information, please contact Chris Baynham, GFRS Community Liaison Officer; 01452 753294

Issued by Lisa Bonnell Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 425226 lisa.bonnell@gloucestershire.gov.uk

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