Cook Safe campaign shares top tips to prevent home fires

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is reminding people of the importance of cooking safely in an effort to further reduce accidental fires at home.

The Cook Safe campaign urges residents to be aware of the dangers of cooking-related fires and take simple steps to keep themselves and their families safe in the kitchen to help prevent fires.

Firefighters were called to 603 accidental fires in the home in 2022 that were caused by cooking. This makes up nearly half of all accidental dwelling fires that the service responded to last year.

Though this figure has reduced by almost 150 incidents since the Cook Safe campaign was launched last year, the service is keen to see further reductions.

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of fire in the kitchen:

• Never leave your cooking unattended
• Keep looking when cooking - it’s easy to get distracted while cooking, which can result in accidents causing fires
• Try using the oven or thermostatically controlled friers instead of a chip pan
• Take care when frying - hot oil or fat can easily catch fire​
• Never cook if you’ve been drinking alcohol

As part of the campaign, Greater Manchester residents will see messages across social media, bus interior advertising, adverts in hospitality venues and local media with top tips on how to stay safe in the kitchen.

Area Manager Billy Fenwick, GMFRS’ Head of Prevention, said: “We launched this campaign last year after tragically seeing a number of deaths relating to cooking fires. That clearly highlights the devastation fires in the home can cause and why it’s so important to take care in the kitchen.

“We’re pleased to see the number of accidental fires caused by cooking reducing, and want to work with our communities to keep people safe and further reduce the number of cooking fires we attend.

“My plea to residents is: please take care in the kitchen by following our simple advice on how to cook safely.”

There are steps you can take to help prevent accidental fires in the home. Greater Manchester residents can get personalised advice to keep their homes safe from fire by using a new Online Home Fire Safety Check tool.

Members of the public can complete an Online Home Fire Safety Check to help identify fire hazards in their home and get advice on simple changes that can reduce the risk of a fire.

Residents who would like a free, face-to-face Home Fire Safety Assessment, delivered by trained staff, should complete the online check to find out if they are eligible. Those who are eligible can then complete an online referral form.

Those without online access can telephone 0800 555 815 to find out if they are eligible for a Home Fire Safety Assessment.

For more cooking fire safety advice you can visit the GMFRS website here: Cooking and kitchen safety