Fire services are urging people to "ban the pan" as national chip week gets underway from February 12th.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service warned of the dangers of chip and fat pan fires, which cause around 8,200 fires in the UK every year, resulting in 34 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries.

Area manager Phil Hales said: "Chip pans cause a high number of fires resulting in deaths and injuries.

"People leave pans full of fat bubbling away which can be lethal as the overheated oil will ignite. All you need is an interruption like a telephone call or even worse to fall asleep while the chips are cooking.

"Simply changing the way you cook can prevent fire. Invest in a deep fat fryer or opt for oven chips as an alternative."

Mr Hales stressed the importance of having an escape route planned in case of a fire, adding that if it was necessary to use a chip pan it should never be filled with over a third of oil or fat.

Proper fire escapes can be lifesavers in the event of a fire.

Click here for a selection of fire exit windows and doors from Safestyle.

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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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