Fire Brigade urgent warning over one place you should never put an air fryer - 'keep it clear'

Fire Brigade urgent warning over one place you should never put an air fryer - 'keep it clear' 'User error' is a leading cause of air fryer fires, according to fire chiefs Air fryers have come a long way since their first invention in 2006. From starting with Dutch engineer Fred van der Weij's first modern air fryer prototype using "rapid air technology " to make crispy food with little to no oil they have now become a kitchen staple. Figures show more than two out of three UK households have an air fryer with half of households using it at least once a week. It has now overtaken the oven for everyday use and is now the third most used appliance in British kitchens after toasters and microwaves. However with increased use there also comes a safety risk. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has previously warned that "user error" is the leading cause of air fryer related fires - and shared a surprising cause. They said that over one 10-month period they dealt with nine air fryer fires - and almost half were as a result of someone putting the appliance on top of a cooker then switching the hob on. And while some were accidental others were because that was how the user thought an air fryer worked. Station Manager Richard Booth said: "Four of those incidents that we've attended - the air fryer has actually been sat on a hob in the kitchen and that hob has either been turned on deliberately, by someone not knowing that's not what they're meant to do, or accidentally." This week Shiny Floors shared on Facebook they had a similar issue when an air fryer was left on the cooker which was then accidentally switched on. And Lancashire Fire And Rescue has also previously issued a warning saying: "It only takes a second." Showing a picture of a fire-devastated kitchen it added: "In this incident, an air fryer was placed on the hob of an electric cooker, starting a kitchen fire in a flat. "Thankfully, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen. Even for a moment, it’s not worth the risk. Your hob is not your worktop. Keep it clear." But that is not the only error people make when using an air fryer. According to Electrical Safety First, a UK Charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries and death caused by electricity, there are some "vital steps" people should take to ensure they are kept safe. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said: “There are some vital steps you can take to protect yourself and save yourself a visit from the fire service. Always register the product to make sure you are contactable in the event a fault is detected by the manufacturer. "Never overfill your air fryer and never plug the appliance into an extension lead to avoid potential overheating. Make sure you keep your power cords away from hot surfaces to avoid damaging cables, which could pose a serious fire risk and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning your device.” The charity also warned users to be aware of product recalls. It said: "A handful of air fryers have been issued with a safety notice or product recall in recent years, with the dangers ranging from a serious risk of electric shock to fire. Consumers can check if air fryer has been recalled using the charity’s product recall checker." Do’s and Don’ts of Air Fryer Use Electrical Safety First shared its key list of do's and don'ts of using an air fryer. Do: - Keep the power cords away from hot surfaces - Turn it off at the socket when it’s not in use - Ensure it’s on a level surface where it won’t accidentally be knocked off the counter - Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your air fryer - Keep an eye on your air fryer when in use, if you smell burning or hear any unusual noises coming from your machine turn it off immediately and contact the manufacturer - Always wait at least 30 minutes to clean it after use. Don't: - Put oil inside your air fryer - Immerse your fryer in water – this can increase the risk of the device short-circuiting when it is turned back on or, in the event water residue is still in contact with the device when in use again, increase the risk of electric shock - Overfill your air fryer – typically it should only be two thirds full - Plug your device into an extension lead which could risk overloading the socket