Firefighters are calling for Kent residents to take more care when cooking at home and to make sure appliances are never left on overnight to reduce the risk of fire breaking out in the kitchen.

In the last three years Kent Fire and Rescue Service has attended nearly 1,300 fires that started in kitchen ‘white goods’, and as a result one person lost their life, 135 people suffered injury and 43 people had to be rescued by fire crews from their homes.* br>
Cooking fires are still the most common cause of accidental fire in the home, with most occurring where cooking has been left unattended in the oven or grill or due to an item accidentally catching fire on a hot hob. However, around 180 blazes broke out when kitchen ‘white goods’ such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators overheated or developed a fault.

Only this weekend, an Ashford couple were victim of a tumble dryer fire but thanks to the fact that the property had working smoke alarms which alerted them to the blaze, damage was contained mostly to the dryer itself and the room it was in. The man suffered minor burns and both inhaled smoke from the blaze.

KFRS community safety officer Mick Smith said: “If this had happened during the night, it could have been so much worse, especially if smoke alarms hadn’t been fitted, and potentially fatal as the fire may have spread further undetected.

“I would strongly urge people not to leave appliances running overnight because if a fault develops and it catches fire while you sleep, you are less likely to discover the fire in time to get you and other occupants out safely.”

He continued: “Make sure smoke alarms are fitted and working in your home and if you have any appliances that are getting old I would recommend that you consider having them tested and maintained as they are potentially more at risk of developing a fault.”

Follow these safety tips below to help keep you and your family safe from fire in the home:

• Fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home. When a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to escape so an early warning is vital.
• Test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999.
• Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.
• Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area where most house fires start. It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off. Never leave cooking unattended and avoid build up of grease and dirt on cooking appliances.
• If a fire does start, close the door to contain the fire. Get out of the building, stay out and call the fire and rescue service.
• Ask the experts. Kent Fire and Rescue Service offer free home fire safety checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. The checks take about 30 minutes and include if required the fitting free 10-year smoke alarms.

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check or to find out more call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit their website www.kent.fire-uk.org.

*Kent Fire and Rescue Service figures between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2008 for Accidental dwelling fires attended caused by white kitchen goods. Casualty figures include precautionary checks.

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