Latest figures from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) show homes in the county fall victim to a kitchen fire on average three times a week.

Between April 2012 and March 2013, firefighters were called to 163 house fires which started in the kitchen. This is more than half the total number of accidental house fires attended by crews in the same period.

Of these kitchen fires, 107 were caused by faulty or misused electrical appliances.

“A house fire can have devastating results,” said Crew Manager Mark Pratten from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. “Many however, are preventable and there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe.

“Kitchen fires generally have two causes – cooking or an electrical fault. Never leave food cooking unattended and make sure appliances, where appropriate, are switched off at the mains when not in use.

“It’s important to check wiring, make sure plugs are not overloaded and use the appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. The Electrical Safety Council’s website is also a good port of call as it contains details of products which have been recalled.”

To avoid becoming a kitchen fire statistic, CFRS has the following tips for staying safe in the kitchen: • Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Check them weekly and don’t take the batteries out! Smoke alarms will detect traces of smoke before you do, giving you precious time to escape to safety.

• Keep appliances clean and in good working order and regularly check for worn or frayed wires.

• Don’t overload plug sockets.

• Never leave cooking unattended. Remove pans from the heat if you are called away and turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking.

• Avoid cooking if you are or have been drinking or are tired or taking medications which make you drowsy. It’s all too easy to fall asleep while waiting for food to cook.

• Keep your oven and grill pan clean and well maintained. A build up of fat and grease can heat up and catch alight.

• Don’t wear loose fitting clothing around naked flames.

• Consider using an RCD – Residual Current Device - which works like a circuit breaker to protect against electric shocks and reduces the risk of electrical fires.

And if you come across a fire in your home – shut the door on the fire (if it is safe to do so) and get out, stay out and call 999.

For more information visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire or call 0800 358 1999. For details of recalled electrical products visit www.esc.org.uk