Don't cook if you're drunk or on drugs, warns fire brigade

Drinkers are being targeted with a safety campaign aimed at curbing the December hike in accidental blazes.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is urging residents to think twice before switching on the cooker after having a drink.

Jon Torn, station manager in community safety, said: “The busy Christmas party period is already upon us and we’re not here to stop anyone having a good time.

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“But people must recognise that by cooking when you’ve been out drinking, you are automatically putting yourself at a much greater risk of fire.

“Seasonal drink drive campaigns have made getting behind the wheel of a car after a drink completely unacceptable. We think the same stigma should be attached to cooking in the home.”

There are six accidental house fires on average in Rotherham every month, but fire crews attended 12 last December and 11 the year before.

Mr Torn said: “We’ve attended far too many serious incidents where people have been under the influence of alcohol and fallen asleep with food on the hob or in the cooker, or where drink or drugs have made them uncoordinated and more likely to have an accident.”

Residents are reminded to:

• Never cook when under the influence of alcohol.
• Never use a chip pan, as oven chips or thermostat controlled fryers are much safer.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Switch kitchen appliances off after use.