Fire Safety
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Chip or Fat Pan Fires
Scottish Fire Services were called to 854 chip or fat pan fires in 2005. We'd rather you left any fire to be dealt with by the experts but there are some things you can do - if it's safe.
- If it's Not Safe to Get to the Cooker What Not To Do
- What You Can Do
- If You Can't Put it Out Straight Away
- Why Not to Use Water or Fire Extinguishers on a Chip or Fat Pan Fire
- Avoiding Chip or Fat Pan Fires
- Further Information
If it's Not Safe to Get to the Cooker
If you can't get within arm''s reach of the cooker for heat, smoke or flames:
- get out
- get everyone else out
- close the kitchen door
- call 999
- if you can, turn off the fuel supply (gas or electricity) at the mains
- stay out of the house until the Fire Service tell you it's safe to come back in
What Not To Do
If it's safe and you can reach the cooker, there are some very important things you should never do to a fat or chip pan fire:
- never throw water on a fat or chip pan fire (read why)
- do not use a fire extinguisher on a chip or fat pan fire (read why)
- don't touch the handle (it will be very hot)
- don't try to move the pan (it could spill and spread the fire further)
What You Can Do
If it's safe and you can reach the cooker, here are some things you can do:
- turn off the heat
- if it's electric, turn off the main wall switch or put the electric off at the fuse box
- if you have fire blanket handy, put it over the pan to smother the flames
- if you don't have a fire blanket, use a wet, well-wrung out towel instead
- protect your hands and arms while you try to cover the pan and watch your clothing doesn't catch light
- wait at least 30 minutes to let the pan cool down
- phone the Fire and Rescue Service, even if you think you've put it out
If You Can't Put it Out Straight Away
- get out
- get everyone else out
- close the kitchen door
- call 999
- stay out of the house until the Fire Service tell you it's safe to come back in
Why Not to Use Water or Fire Extinguishers on a Chip or Fat Pan Fire
If you throw water on burning fat or oil, the water sinks beneath the oil, instantly turns into high-pressure steam and causes the burning oil to explode up out of the pan. If this happens, your kitchen - and you - will be engulfed in flames in a flash.
If you use a fire extinguisher, the pressure of the jet from the extinguisher could force more burning oil out of the pan. If it's a water extinguisher, the same thing will happen as if you throw water on the fire.
Read more on using fire extinguishers safely.
Avoiding Chip or Fat Pan Fires
Fires of this kind can be easily prevented:
- never leave a chip or fat pan unattended while on the heat - not even for a second
- only ever fill one third full of oil or fat - it will fill up further when you put the food in
- turn the handle away from the cooker's edge but make sure the it doesn't heat up over other rings in use
- make sure what goes in isn't dripping wet or caked in ice
- fry in small batches - too much could cause the pan to overflow
- never deep fry if you've been drinking alcohol or are sleepy
Consider buying an electric deep fat fryer - they're much, much safer than chip or fat pans. Modern ones have safety cut-outs that stop them overheating and catching fire. Crucially, the heating element is protected so that the oil can't touch it directly and burst into flames.
They're not that expensive either (from around '20) and they're smaller than you think.
Further Information
For further information and advice on home fire safety, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service.
You can also download the following information leaflets:
