There were 44 fires in houses in the first three months of this year, 11 more than a year earlier, according to the Civil Protection Department.

A CPD breakdown shows there were 15 fire accidents in January, 19 in February and 10 in March.

While the cause of the fires varied, a CPD spokesman said the majority of the accidents reported – 10 – occurred in kitchens.

Naked flames left unattended or electrical appliances failing were usually behind such accidents.

The CPD spokesman pointed out that electrical failures often went undetected for months and it was usually only after a fire broke out that residents would become aware of the problem. “We also see a number of fires caused by switches overloading. In the kitchen, this can be very dangerous,” the spokesman noted.

We also see a number of fires caused by switches overloading. In the kitchen this can be very dangerous

While the spike in the number of fire accidents inside homes could be attributed to various issues, the CPD spokesman insisted it only took that little extra effort so most of such accidents could easily be avoided.

“With summer on the way, for instance, a little extra attention when handling BBQ sets could go a long way. Similarly, matches should not be left running around the house, especially if there are children,” he added.

The CPD this year installed new IT systems to better record details of such accidents and, by listing the causes, it would be better equipped to carry out awareness campaigns, the spokesman said.

“We now log every accident and what the cause is. Say, there was a kitchen fire, we now note the exact cause and, in that way, we are able to address specific areas when we carry out educational campaigns,” he said.

Ten useful tips

Steps everyone can follow to avoid a cooking fire:

1. Never leave cooking food unattended.

2. Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking.

3. Use a timer so you’ll remember that the stove or oven is on.

4. Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

5. Keep the children away from the cooking area.

6. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

7. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease build-up.

8. Consider buying a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.

9. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all appliances are turned off.

10. Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, use the test button to check it each month.

*Source: American Red Cross