Celebrate Eid Safely
As the Muslim community are preparing for their 2009 Eid celebrations over the next few days, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging them to celebrate with caution.
In particular, the Service is encouraging people to consider kitchen safety as, traditionally, a lot of cooking takes place during the Eid celebrations.
"Over half of homes fires are caused as a result of cooking accidents, so it is essential that people take care in the kitchen. Women in particular are at risk due to the flowing fabrics they wear, these can quite easily catch fire under the grill or over the cooker."
Rehana Iqbal, Risk Reduction Officer
To ensure you and your family celebrate Eid safety this year, please follow the kitchen safety tips below.
- Leave pans off the heat if you have to leave the room.
- If a saucepan does catch fire you should never throw water onto it, instead call 999.
- Keep electric leads, tea towels and cloths away from the cooker.
- Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build up of fat can easily catch fire.
- When you’ve finished cooking make sure the cooker or oven is turned off.
- Do not use lighters or matches to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer.