National Chip Week

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind chip fans of a few simple safety tips.

Chris Pascoe, Head of Community Safety, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said; "Most of us love freshly cooked chips. As a Fire & Rescue Service, our concern is that chip pan accidents are all too regular an occurrence.

"All you need is one small distraction like a telephone call and the pan might be left gently bubbling away and forgotten about. Chip pan fires are a prime example of where major improvements can be made through education."

Incidents involving hot oils and fats can be avoided with a few simple preventative measures such as; angling saucepan handles so that they don't stick out from the hob, never fill chip pans more than one-third full and don't leave the kitchen while cooking. If cooking oil or fat starts to smoke, turn off the heat immediately or better still use a thermostatically controlled electric fryer, as they cannot overheat.

Should your chip pan catch fire, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following advice:

- NEVER throw water over burning fat or oil

- Don't tackle the fire yourself

- GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY!