ESSEX Fire and Rescue has launched a new campaign urging revellers not to cook at home after a festive night out.
The service has been pushing its "grab a kebab with your cab" message to people around the county in a bid to curb the number of cooking fires usually experienced at this time of year.
Neil Fenwick, head of community safety for Essex Fire and Rescue, said: "The idea of the campaign is to highlight the issue of fire safety, especially around this time of year.
"At Christmas time a lot of people are out at Christmas events or work parties and it's common when people leave clubs or pubs to feel a little bit hungry, so when they get home they stick on the grill and start cooking.
"But after you've had a few drinks and are a little the worse for wear, you can easily get distracted or fall asleep and the next thing you know the kitchen is in flames."
The fire service decided to launch the campaign after noticing an increase in kitchen fires at Christmas time.
Mr Fenwick added: "The majority of fires in the home start in the kitchen and that's because people are cooking on a naked flame. So cooking is dangerous at the best of times. But add to that someone who is under the influence of alcohol and it is even more so.
"We all go out and have a few drinks, and we all feel hungry but it's about being safe.
"Don't even think about cooking at home – grab a kebab or a takeaway. Obviously we want people to eat healthily but we want them to remain safe.
"I remember one year a guy had put his grill on to cook burgers and fell asleep and his neighbours called us when they saw smoke and heard the alarm.
"That's another thing I can't stress enough – the importance of having a working fire alarm. They really do save lives and it's vital that everyone has a working alarm in their homes. We want people to have fun this Christmas but in a safe way."
To find out more about Essex Fire and Rescue Service follow them on Twitter @ECFRS or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk
