One in three people living in Kent and Medway have accidentally started a fire after leaving a tea towel or other items too close to the hob, a survey has revealed. 

Since January this year, Kent firefighters have responded to more than 200 accidental kitchen fires. But, new research indicates the true number of fires happening in kitchens across the county, where residents don’t call 999 for the fire service, could be even higher. 

A third of residents surveyed* admitted to causing a fire accidentally after leaving items such as tea towels, oven gloves, baking paper, bin liners, clothes, and even their own hair, on or too close to the hob. A further fifteen percent said they’d had a near miss and moved an item away from the cooking area just in time.

Now, in a bid to reduce kitchen fires across the county and keep people safe, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has launched ‘Hook it, Don’t Cook it’ – a campaign urging everyone to hook, or store tea towels at least 50cm (approximately an arm’s length) away from their hob. 

KFRS Area Manager Charlie Smith said: “We know from experience that fires in the home are most likely to start in the kitchen. 

“Through our new campaign, we want to reduce that risk by advising people to hook tea towels well away from the cooking area – whether that’s with a hook on the wall, on the kitchen door, on a cupboard, or inside a cupboard if you have limited space. 

“To help people take action, we’re giving away free tea towels hooks while stocks last.

“Anyone without a hook can hang their tea towel on a door knob, put it in a drawer, or on the work top – as long as it’s well away the cooking area. 

“Just always remember to keep your hob clear to keep you and your family safe.”

Kent and Medway residents who are struggling to keep their hob areas clear, can request a free tea towel hook by emailing their full name and home address to info@kent.fire-uk.org, or by calling 01622 692121. 

KFRS is also urging people not to hesitate to call the fire service for smaller fires. 

Charlie added: “We understand when there’s a very small kitchen fire, some people may be able to quickly and safely put it out themselves, but we want everyone to know that the fire service is always here and no matter the size of the fire we advise you to call 999 – we don’t want anyone getting injured by trying to put fires out.

“Please remember, never throw water onto a chip pan or oil-based fire, or an electrical fire – that will make things much worse and is very dangerous.” 

 

*1036 residents responded as part of a poll