Grenfell firefighters are warning local residents to ‘keep looking when cooking’ to avoid kitchen fire catastrophes.
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Station Commander, Captain Craig Johnson said kitchen fires accounted for 45 per cent of all residential fires and 34 per cent of injuries in NSW.
“Flames or heat sources being left unattended are the most common cause contributing to kitchen fires,” he said.
“It can take just three minutes for a fire to take hold, but only seconds to prevent one, to avoid kitchen fire catastrophes, we urge people to ‘keep looking when cooking’, it’s a simple way to avoid losing your home or even worse, your loved ones or your own life.”
FRNSW recommends the following simple safety check list for home cooks:
*Never leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. It takes just three minutes for a fire to take hold, but only seconds to prevent one.
*Don’t put anything metallic in the microwave.
*Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
*Don’t cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
*Turn pot handles inwards to avoid being knocked or grabbed by children.
*Keep your oven and range-hood clean. Excess grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
*Don’t use LPG cylinders for cooking or heating indoors.
*Never overload power points or power boards, this applied the entire home, not just the kitchen.
*Make sure you have a working smoke alarm.
If your pan does catch fire:
*Never use water to put out a fat or oil fire.
*Turn off the stove and use the lid to cover the flame.
GET OUT, STAY OUT AND CALL TRIPLE ZERO ‘000’
It is not just the kitchen we need to think about, Captain Johnson said each winter, FRNSW also sees a 10% jump in the number of fires starting in bedrooms or lounge rooms.
“We want to remind people to be careful when using heaters and remember to keep everything in the house as least a ‘metre from the heater,’ he said.
Simple steps in preparing the rest of your home against the risk of fire this winter are:
*Turn off heaters or electric blankets before leaving your home or going to bed.
*Clean lint filters in the clothes dryer before or after each use.
*Keep candles away from curtains and be sure to put them out before leaving the room.
*Ensure you have working smoke alarms.
“If you remember these simple rules, you will be well on your way to having a safe, fire-free winter.” said Captain Johnson.
For more information, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au