During 2023, one third of the kitchen fires attended by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) were in the homes of people aged over 65 and living alone. To combat this alarming statistic, DWFRS is launching a new safety campaign, with a focus on preventing cooking-related incidents and making residents safer at home.

‘Cook with Care’ has four key themes to help reduce kitchen fires:

• Prepare – Before you start cooking, create a clear space to prepare your meals safely. Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob, and take care if you’re wearing loose clothing.
• Prevent – Never put anything other than pots and pans on your cooker hob; even after you’ve finished cooking, the hob will remain hot for some time.Never put anything metal into the microwave.Saucepan handles left sticking out create a danger; there’s a risk they could be caught, leading to the pans being knocked off the hob.
• Focus – Don’t leave cooking unattended.Avoid cooking if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that leaves you drowsy.
• Stay Safe – Keep the oven, hob and grill clean as a build-up of fat or grease can catch fire when hot. Switch off the oven and/or hob when you have finished cooking and take pans off the heat.

It’s vital that we do all we can to protect our communities, especially those people who are perhaps more vulnerable because of their age or where they live. By highlighting some of the potential dangers in the kitchen, DWFRS hope to encourage safer cooking behaviours amongst those most at risk.

There is more information on the DWFRS website about safety in the home, www.dwfire.org.uk/safety-at-home and anyone with an older friend or relative who lives alone is asked to share this advice with them.

If you are concerned for someone’s safety, you can contact the DWFRS Safe & Well team – call 0800 038 2323 or visit www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits