Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) community safety and research chief superintendent Mick Morris said that residents are reminded to “keep looking when cooking” to avoid kitchen catastrophes.
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“Kitchen fires account for 45 per cent of all residential fires and 34 per cent of injuries in NSW.
“Flames or heat sources being left unattended are the most common cause contributing to kitchen fires.
“It can take just three minutes for a fire to take hold, but only seconds to prevent one,” he said.
The service attends to approximately 4,500 residential fires in NSW annually, with 47 per cent of those starting in the kitchen.
More than 60 per cent of fires occur between May and September.
Fire and Rescue NSW recommended the following safety list for cooking in the home:
- Never leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. It takes just three minutes for a fire to take hold, but only seconds to prevent one.
- Don’t put anything metallic in the microwave.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- Don’t cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Turn pot handles inwards to avoid being knocked or grabbed by children.
- Keep your oven and rangehood clean. Excess grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
- If your pan catches fire, don’t throw water on it- get out, stay out and call Triple Zero
Residents are reminded to contact Triple Zero (000) in an emergency situation.
