With the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan beginning on Sunday, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind people of the importance of staying fire safe during this period.In Islamic trad...
With the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan beginning on Sunday, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind people of the importance of staying fire safe during this period.
In Islamic tradition, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Observing Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours and only eat and drink from dusk until dawn. This means that cooking and meal preparation generally takes place before sunrise and after sunset, meaning that Muslims will be preparing food late at night and very early in the morning.
With this in mind, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to take extra care in the kitchen when cooking, as these are the times when tiredness will kick in and small mistakes can lead to fires starting.
To help you stay fire safe, please follow our safety tips below:
- Never leave cooking unattended – fire starts when your attention stops. If you do need to leave the room, ensure that you take your food off the hob until you get back.
- Take care when cooking with oil - avoid filling Karrai dishes more than 1/3 full with oil. If the oil starts to smoke, do not add food. Turn the burner off and allow it to cool.
- Test your smoke alarms – Test your smoke alarms regularly and ensure that you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home
- Escape Plan - Have an escape plan and make sure that any guests in your home know how to get out safely should a fire occur.
- Stop, Drop and Roll – If you are wearing loose clothing, keep it tied back. Clothing can catch fire easier than you think, so ensure scarves or long sleeves are a safe distance away from the hob. If the worst should happen, remember to stop, drop and roll to try and extinguish the fire.
- Stay fire safe - ensure tea towels, kitchen roll, plastic tubs and electrical leads are a safe distance away from hob to reduce the risk of a fire.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Fire Prevention and Arson Manager, Moreno Francioso said:
“We know how important the month of Ramadan is, but equally we know that fire safety may not always be at the top of your list, especially when you are tired or fatigued.
“So if you are cooking, please ensure that you don’t leave pans unattended, especially when cooking with hot oil. Once you have finished preparing your food, take the time to check that everything is turned off, especially if you are heading off to bed or leaving for work.
“Most importantly, please ensure that you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home. If you don’t have a smoke alarm, then call us today on 01926 466282 to see if you are eligible for a safe and well visit.”
If a fire does occur, remember to get out, stay out and call 999. If you have concerns about fire safety in your home then visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue