What to do if oil catches fire in a pan

 

The most common cause of kitchen fires is food left unattended on the stove. A towel or curtains can also catch fire from the burner, or oil or grease can ignite. If you cannot extinguish the fire immediately, call the emergency services at "101" or "112", leave the premises, and act as you would in case of a fire.

If oil catches fire (in a pot or pan):

-  do not try to move the burning pan elsewhere;

-   under no circumstances should you extinguish burning oil with water or any other liquid;

-   turn off the burner, shut off the gas and electricity supply if possible;

-   cover the frying pan or pot with a lid, using a pot holder or a coarse cloth to protect your hands from burns. Alternatively, spread a wet towel in front of you and throw it over the frying pan so as to cover it completely;

-   leave the cookware covered until the oil cools down, otherwise the fire may reignite;

-   if hot oil or grease gets on the floor or walls, use laundry detergent or soil from flower pots to extinguish it;

-   if an electric stove overheats, first turn it off, and then cover the heating elements with a wet cloth.