FIREFIGHTERS are inviting residents to trade-in their chip pans for £25 deep-fat fryers, - for only £5.
The hand-overs will take place at two fire safety awareness events in the car parks at Hume House flats, in Stockton, and Hudson House, in Thornaby, today from 10am to 1pm.
"Old-fashioned chip pans are still a major cause of fires in the home, despite the availability of much safer deep-fat fryers, or a better option still - oven chips,'' said Barry Waller, Cleveland Fire Brigade's station officer at Thornaby, Teesside.
"We are looking forward to taking as many old chip pans as possible out of circulation and reducing the risk of a cooking fire in the home.''
Fire crews will be on hand, distributing information leaflets and giving fire safety advice at the events.
Mr Waller said: "Anyone who can't get along to our chip-pan amnesty who would like to know more about reducing the risk of fire in the home can request a free home fire safety check from firefighters by contacting their local fire station.''
The chip pan exchange is being subsided by the brigade and housing organisation, Tristar Homes.
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