What to do if a pan catches fire?

Accidents happen, even if you are careful. Learn how to stay safe. 

Emergency essentials – how to handle a pan fire

Even if you're a very careful cook, accidents can happen, so it's important to know what to do. If a pan catches fire, there are 4 steps to take to stay safe: 

  1. Don't tackle the fire yourself and don't try to move the pan.
  2. Never throw water over a fire as it could create a fireball.
  3. Turn off the heat, to stop the fire from growing, but only if it's safe to do so.
  4. Leave the room, close the door, warn others, and call 999 for emergency services.

What happens when you add water to a chip pan – controlled demonstration

Person using the Home Fire Safety Checker on their smartphone.

Check your home's safe using our simple tool

It only takes a few minutes to check your home and get tailored advice for your family.

Home Fire Safety Checker (HFSC)

You might also be interested in...