Firefighters from Wrexham recently presented a luxury hamper of delicious goodies to one lucky resident following a successful campaign in the Wrexham area to highlight the dangers of cooking fires.

The 'Time it right - Don't set it alight!' campaign saw North Wales Fire and Rescue Service staff visiting supermarkets across the town over an eight week period, giving out advice and free kitchen timers to over 1000 shoppers.

To claim the timers, shoppers filled in a cooking safety quiz - and all those with correct answers were put into a draw for the luxury hamper.

Jill Patrick of Huntsman's Corner,BorrasParkfilled in a quiz on a visit to Tesco and was the lucky entry picked at random. She said:" I'm a retired cookery teacher and have seen for myself how dangerous it can be to get distracted from your cooking just for a few minutes.

"I think the campaign is an excellent initiative and reminds us all about the importance of cooking safely. I've already used the cooking timer a number of times and am thrilled to have won the hamper! Following talking to the staff at the supermarket, I also took advantage of a free home fire safety check to check the smoke alarms in my home. The visit was very reassuring, and I've recommended the service to friends. I'm very glad I popped to the supermarket that day!"

Paul Whybrofrom North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "Kitchen fires have been an issue for a number of years - 58% of all accidental fires in Wrexham homes last year were caused by cooking.

"The campaign highlighted the dangers of getting distracted whilst you are preparing food and the risks involved with leaving your cooking unattended, with a high profile advertising campaign on the back of buses linking into a leafleting campaign through local schools and visits to the supermarkets.

"Time and time again we attend house fires which have started in the kitchen - it is so easy to forget your cooking, especially if you are tired, distracted or have been drinking. But the consequences can be devastating.

"So please continue to heed our advice and cook safely and don't forget - smoke alarms save lives. For a free home fire safety check call our 24 hour freephone number on 0800 169 1234.

Here are Paul's top tips for safety in the kitchen:

• If you leave the room take the cooking off the heat
• Don't use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer
• Always make sure that any handles are turned away from the edge of the cooker
• Keep the over, hob and grill clean - a build up fat and grease can easily catch fire
• Never hang anything to dry above the cooker
• Take care if you are wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire
• When you've finished cooking make sure everything is turned off
• Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used
• Never use a chip pan - use a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer
• Get fitted with smoke alarms - they are free of charge and could save your life.