Traditionally Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of Lent, when hundreds of people throughout the country make pancakes, before they begin a 40 day fast.

When you are distracted by the haunting image of a delicious, warm pancake sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar, fire safety may not be at the forefront of your mind! However, fat and chip pan fires can be devastating, with a very high proportion of fires resulting in injuries.

Terry Williams, Head of Community Safety, said: "Making pancakes can be lots of fun for the whole family and they certainly can be delicious. However, the majority of accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen so please take care, especially when cooking with hot oil."

Terry offers the following safety tips -

When using a frying pan or cooking with hot oil, remember:

- Never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on

- Do NOT move the pan if it is on fire!

If the pan does catch fire:

- Don't take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.

- Don't tackle the fire yourself.

- GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999.

"And when you have finished cooking, make sure that all the appliances are turned off and the cooking area is clear," added Terry.

A working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of escaping unharmed. Have a plan and follow it - know exactly which way you will leave the house, and know where you will go.

Stay alive, stay safe, and make sure the alarm works properly;

- Test your smoke alarm(s) every week

- Change the battery every year (unless it's a 10 year alarm)

- Clean it out properly at least twice every year, by vacuuming the inside.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offer free home fire safety checks, where a member of the Service will visit your home, give fire safety hints and tips, help you to formulate a fire escape plan and fit new alarms - all free of charge. This service is available to all residents in North Wales.

To register for a free home fire safety check, please call the 24 hour free hotline on 0800 169 1234, e-mail cfs@nwales-fireservice.org.uk or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk.