The chip is one of our most traditional and loved foods and is once again being celebrated this February during National Chip Week. 

Fire Investigation Officer, Mike Burroughs, of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “Most of us love freshly cooked crisp chips, there’s nothing like them.  However, it is important to be take due care if using a chip pan.  Chip pan fires are all too regular an occurrence, and quite often all you need is an interruption like a telephone call or someone calling at your door.  As you answer, the pan can be gently bubbling away and forgotten about.”

In 2007, there were over 4,500 chip pan fires resulting in over 1,500 injuries.

When water is put onto hot oil it heats up, expands, turns to steam and rises in a big steam cloud. Each particle of steam is coated in burning oil and if you are near it you will be badly burned.

Why not try oven or microwave chips or invest in a thermostat-controlled deep fat fryer?

If you have to use a chip pan, here are some safety tips:
• Never fill a pan more than a third full of oil
• Never leave a pan unattended
• Do not put wet chips into hot oil
• Don't leave pans in the hob when you're not around. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen.
• Test the temperature of the oil with a small amount of food; and If the oil gives off smoke it is too hot.
• Clothing and tea towels should be kept away from the cooker.
• Keep electrical leads away from the cooker and from water. 

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service offer their top tips about what to do if a pan catches fire:
• Don't take any risks.  Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so
• Never throw water over it as this will cause a fire ball
• Have a clear escape route
• Don’t tackle the fire yourself
• GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999

In closing, Mike Burroughs said: “Repeatedly attending fires and seeing people make the same mistakes, places a responsibility on us to communicate the risk of death and injury.  We hope that by encouraging people to take due care and attention with chip pans, we will start to see a reduction in these preventable accidents.”

Ends

For any further information please contact Suzie Izzard, Press Officer on 01392 872296 email: sizzard@dsfire.gov.uk