Tip 6: The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed
If you’re tired, have been drinking, or taking drugs, you will be less alert to the signs of fire. You are more likely to fall asleep and you are less likely to wake up if a fire does start, particularly if you don’t have working smoke alarms in your home. Consider fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen to give you early warning of a fire.
If a fire does break out, alcohol or drugs can heighten feelings of disorientation, making it difficult for you to escape.
If you’re out at a Christmas party or if you’re just having a night out down the pub, it’s best to buy food on the way home, rather than attempting to cook when you get back. If you do want to make something when you get home, then it’s best to prepare cold food – a sandwich could save your life!
If you’re not concentrating, then cooking even the simplest meal can cause a fire – so when you’re doing turkey with all the trimmings, it’s even more important to keep alert.
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re cooking a big meal and it’s easy for a fire to start – it only takes a minute: NEVER leave hobs unattended while you’re cooking.
Remember – fire starts when your attention stops!