Fire service advice on Pancake Day

In case you didn't know, today is Shrove Tuesday - or more commonly known as Pancake Day.

As is tradition, a lot of people will enjoy tucking into pancakes - both sweet and savoury. 

But Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has issued a word of warning to ensure everyone stays safe while having fun in the kitchen. 

The authority say more than half of all accidental fires that take place in the home are related to cooking. 

With that in mind, GMFRS are encouraging families - including young children - making pancakes to take precautionary measures by following these tips. 

• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and cloths away from your cooker
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing while cooking with gas
• Remember any type of pan can catch fire - this includes a wok, a grill or a frying pan
• Never fill a pan more than one-third full of oil. If the oil starts to smoke, it's too hot - turn off the heat and leave it to cool down

If your pan does catch fire:

• Don't panic and never take risks
• Don't move or touch the pan
• Never throw water or use a water fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire
• If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls
• Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don't go back inside for any reason
• Call 999

GMFRS are also urging people to check that they have a working smoke alarm in operation before turning their cooker on. You can check that your smoke alarm is working by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. 

You can book a free Safe and Well visit, which can include the fitting of smoke alarms on every floor of your home, by calling 0800 555 815.