Chips Pan Fires

The Facts

·         In the UK there is 12,000 chip pan fires every year.

·         1,000 of these are considered serious.

·         This results in 4,600 injuries & 50 deaths per year.

·         43 per cent of chip pan casualties took place between 8pm and 4am (mostly by men under the influence of alcohol).   

What cause a chip pan fire?

1.    The oil or fat is over heated and catches fire.

2.    The oil or fat spill on to the cooker normally because either the pan has been filled up to high or we food has been added causing the fat to bubble up and overflow.

Best practice

The fire service recommend replacing any conventional chip pans with deep fat fryers as these automatically shut off if the oil becomes to hot or better still cook oven chips.

Do not

·         Do not fill the pan with more then 1/3 of oil.

·         Never attempted to use a chip pan when under the influence of alcohol.

·         Never leave the pan alone - not even for a few seconds.

·         Never put wet food in the pan.

How do I know if the oil is to hot?

Smoke coming from the oil is a good sign the oil is to hot. If you see this occur turn of the heat and wait for it to cool before adding any food.

What to do if I have a chip pan fire?

Do

·         Not panic.

·         Call the fire service.

·         Turn off the heat (if it is safe to do so).

·         Leave the kitchen closing the door behind you, tell everyone in the house to leave. Do not go back for any reason.

Do not

·         Put any water on the fire.

·         Use a fire extinguisher on the fire.

·         Move the pan.

Further information

·         Direct.gov.uk