Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar where Muslims all over the world abstain from food and drink, from dawn until dusk.
This involves Muslims fasting in daylight hours and not eating or drinking for potentially up to 16 hours per day. During Ramadan, it is common to have one meal just before sunrise, known as the Suhoor, and another directly after sunset, known as the Iftar.
This means that cooking often takes place before and after sunrise, so kitchen safety is really important.
If you are observing Ramadan, by taking just a few simple precautions you can greatly reduce the risks for yourself and your family.
As you prepare substantial outside of daylight hours, it could be very easy for an accidental fire to start.
To avoid a fire, please follow these safety tips:
- Take extra care when cooking with oil, as it easily sets alight
- If deep fat frying, only one third of a pan is filled with oil prior to frying food
- If a pan or wok is smoking excessively, turn off the heat
- Never throw water on a burning pan, cover with a damp tea-towel and turn off the heat
- Be very careful with loose clothing and ensure it does not come into contact with a naked flame
- Do not leave cooking unattended
We would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to those observing this special time.