Danger lurks in “Hell’s Kitchen”

Egg timers and ladles are poised ready for the start of a new series of “Hell’s Kitchen”.  This year Gary Rhodes and Jean-Christophe Novelli will attempt to instill some culinary expertise into 10 raw contestants.  Meanwhile, millions of wanabe chefs, all over the country, will take to the kitchen and attempt to flambé the crêpes Suzettes with expensive consequences.

Churchill Home Insurance analysed over 11,000 home insurance claims and found that one in five household accidents happen in the kitchen, with the average cost of a cooking related claim being £4,910.

Additionally, more than one in ten household fires can be blamed on kitchen antics, with the humble saucepan being responsible for the majority of kitchen disasters.

Churchill’s top five accident claims in the kitchen are:

• Saucepans and frying pans – chip pans, pans being left and forgotten, putting a hot pan on the kitchen work surface
• Cooker – blowing up the cooker, breaking the glass in the cooker door
• Hob – leaving the hob on and melting appliances
• Oven – oven catching on fire , using oven cleaner on the elements
• Grill – leaving something under the grill, fat catching on the element, dropping grill pan onto the work surface or carpet

Churchill’s Head of Home Insurance Martin Scott says: “While things hot up in Hell’s Kitchen we advise all budding chefs to ensure that they pay attention at all times in their own kitchen in order to avoid any unnecessary microwave explosions or blender-related disasters.”

To prevent the worst from happening in the kitchen, Churchill advises the following cook’s tips:

• Do not leave pans unattended; if you must leave the kitchen briefly, turn down the heat on appliances and return to the kitchen quickly. 
• Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc., at least three feet away from the range top.
• When cooking, avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing such as long open sleeves, they can be ignited by hot burners. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" by dropping immediately to the ground and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames.
• Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns.
• Take extra care if there are small children around; always turn pot handles inward, beware children do not pull on tablecloths or placements and keep hot items away from the counter edge.
• Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.
• Store knives and other sharp objects out of the reach of children.

Martin Scott added: “We deal with many kitchen related claims, but don’t be put off entering the most dangerous room in the house, it can be great fun – just remember to pay as much attention to your surroundings as you do to the recipe!”

Hell’s Kitchen returns to ITV1 on Monday 18th April.

For more information please contact:
Frances Browning
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5965
pressoffice@churchill.com

Churchill Insurance Company Limited. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.