FIREFIGHTERS have urged people to take extra care in the kitchen after the latest official figures showed that crews attended almost 250 cooking fires in the county in the last year.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) crews were called to 249 kitchen fires in 2013.
That is eight more than during the previous year. DFRS has urged residents to exercise caution in the kitchen.
Prevention manager Kate Huelin said: “We have seen a small increase in cooking fires over the past two years.
“We continue to urge people to take extra care in the kitchen – please don’t leave cooking unattended even for a minute.”
Kate has also stressed the importance of ensuring saucepan handles do not stick out and that cookers are turned off after use.
She added: “If you do have a fire, please get out, stay out and call 999.
“Having a working smoke alarm is vital as it will give you extra time to get out.”
For more information visit dorsetfire.gov.uk
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