Have a safe Ramadan

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is urging the Muslim community to observe their Ramadan fast safely.

During Ramadan many families prepare a meal before sunrise or after sunset. At this early hour in the morning or when people are coming together for a communal meal in the evening, it could be very easy for a fire to start.

Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said, “It is ironic and tragic that during periods of celebration there is a dramatic increase in the number of fires amongst many communities. Our aim is to make people aware of their surroundings and ensure that they are actively thinking about fire safety in the home.”

Fire safety messages that will help families observe Ramadan safely include:

When cooking:

• Never leave cooking unattended - even to answer the phone or the door - serious fires can start when you’re distracted; even for a few seconds.
• When cooking deep-fried food, dry it before you put it in the hot oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil. Never throw water over the pan.

Smoke Alarms: 

• Your first line of defence should be a smoke alarm. If there is a fire, a smoke alarm will immediately warn you, giving you and everyone in your home time to escape to safety.
• Fit smoke alarms on the ceiling of each floor level in your home – the best places are top of the staircase, stair landing and between living and sleeping areas (do not fit them in the kitchen).
• Do NOT remove the batteries – if your smoke alarm keeps going off, it might be too close to the kitchen.
• Test your smoke alarms once a week to make sure the batteries are working.
• If you are buying a new smoke alarm consider a 10 year alarm which will require less frequent battery changes.
• Remember, all types of alarms need to be tested once a week.

Make an escape plan: 

• Make sure you make an escape plan in the event of a fire – and everyone in the house knows what to do.
• In the event of a fire in your home Get out, stay out, call and call the fire service.