Tuesday 29 September
10.00hrs
Students across Bath and Bristol are being urged to ‘watch what you
heat’ as the new term gets underway.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is working alongside Bath Spa
University, the University of Bath, the University of Bristol and
the University of the West of England (UWE) to highlight cooking
safety among students who have left home for the first time or may
be living in shared accommodation.
Between October 2008 and August 2009 Avon Fire & Rescue
Service received 23 fire calls, approximately two a month, to
student halls of residence and accommodation. Approximately 78% of
the fires attended started in the kitchen as a result of cooking
left unattended or the occupant
falling asleep while cooking.
As part of efforts to protect the student population, staff from
Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be attending a number of
student events in the first few weeks of term to highlight the
dangers of leaving cooking unattended and cooking while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety Officer for
Bristol, Jon Burns, said: “With many students leaving home for the
first time some will never have had to cook their own meals and
this could be a recipe for disaster.
“Cooking left unattended can lead to a serious fire breaking
out, which not only damages property and possessions, but can also
endanger life. We are working with the universities to highlight
cooking safely and we will be attending a number of events in the
first few weeks of term reminding students to take care when
cooking.”
Over the next couple of weeks firefighters will be talking to
students about fire safety, handing out leaflets with the message
‘watch what you heat’ on and inviting them to take part in an
interactive demonstration which highlights the impact of alcohol on
cooking.
Cooking safety advice
- Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil
- Never leave the pan or grill unattended when the heat is
switched on
- Never put food in a chip pan if the oil begins to smoke. Turn
off the heat and leave the oil to cool.
- Never wear loose clothing near to cooking materials, as it
could catch fire causing severe burns, or it could get caught on
something and pull it over
- Drinking alcohol and cooking is a mix that can end in
disaster