Simple steps to stop kitchen fires in student halls

Following a recent fire at another UK university, which started in a student kitchen, we wanted to share a fresh reminder about staying safe while you cook in Queen Mary Halls.

Most of us use the kitchen every day without really thinking about it. Late night snacks, group dinners, “I’ll just put some pasta on while I revise” moments. It all feels normal. But it only takes a few seconds of distraction for a small mistake to turn into something serious.

When you are cooking in halls, please keep this in mind and always “watch what you heat”.

Stay with your food

This is the big one. 

• Don’t leave food cooking while you pop to someone’s room, jump in the shower or get caught up scrolling on your phone.
• If you need to leave the kitchen, even for a minute, turn the heat down or take pans off the hob. That “quick” chat or toilet break can easily turn into ten minutes.

If you are not in the room, you cannot react quickly if something starts to burn.

Keep the hob and oven trays clean

Grease and food leftovers don’t just look grim, they’re also a fire risk.

• Wipe the hob after you’ve cooked, especially if oil has splashed or food has boiled over.
• Don’t leave greasy baking trays or oily foil sitting on top of the hob – clean them and put them away once they’ve cooled.
• If a tray is really built up with burnt-on grease, soak it and give it a proper scrub rather than putting it straight back in the oven.
• Try to clean up spills as you go so it never gets to the “smoking every time you turn the oven on” stage.

A few minutes of cleaning after cooking makes the kitchen nicer for everyone and massively reduces the risk of smoke and fire.

Know when not to cook

We get it. Coming back from a night out and wanting food is very real. But this is one of the biggest fire risks in student accommodation.

• Do not cook if you have been drinking or feel even slightly out of it.
• If medication makes you drowsy, stick to something cold or ready to eat instead of using the hob.
• If you are exhausted, unwell or struggling to stay awake, it is not the time for frying anything.

There are safer options than half-asleep cooking.

Before you leave the kitchen

Make a quick end-of-cooking checklist part of your routine.

• Check all rings and the oven are off.
• Wipe up any oil or grease that has spilled on or around the hob so it does not smoke or burn next time.
• Make sure nothing is sitting on the hob or pushed right up next to it.

It takes less than a minute and can prevent a lot of damage.

Fire alarms and staying safe in Queen Mary Halls

A quick reminder for everyone in Queen Mary accommodation, if you live in Aspire Point, Blithehale Court or Sherren House your hall may have local policies which differ, so please ensure you familiarise yourself with those or speak to the Reception team in your building, however, all points are relevant for fire safety regardless:

• Never cover, block or tamper with smoke detectors. They protect you and everyone living around you.
• Know where your nearest fire exits and assembly points are and keep corridors and exit routes clear.
• If the fire alarm sounds, leave the building straight away. Do not stop to grab belongings.
• If there is a fire in the kitchen, do not try to be a hero. Get out, close the door behind you if it is safe, and raise the alarm.

Living in halls means your cooking does not just affect you. You are sharing a building with friends, neighbours and staff who are all relying on each other to be careful.

How to report a fire

• If the alarm is not already sounding, raise the alarm by shouting 'fire!'
• Leave the building and activate a red break glass on your way out.
• If you have discovered a fire, this should be reported to Security (020 7887 3333) who will also be in attendance and will call 999.

Next time you turn the hob on, please slow down for a moment, stay in the kitchen and remember to watch what you heat.