Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to cook up something special for your loved one but Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to ensure that the only fires burning will be of the heart, and not in your home.

When you’re preparing that perfect meal and setting the mood with candles and a relaxing drink or two, safety may be the last thing on your mind.

But with 50 per cent of fires starting in the kitchen, it’s all too easy to get distracted while love is in the air.

So to make sure your Valentine’s night is one you’ll want to remember for the right reasons, Merseyside Fire & Rescue is asking you to remember these safety tips:

Cooking

Make sure you don’t get distracted when cooking. Even if you are called away for a short period of time, always turn off the cooker.

Turn saucepans so the handles don’t stick out over the edge of the hob or over another ring. Make sure tea-towels aren’t hanging over the cooker and don’t put oven gloves on top of a hot cooker.

Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your cooker top.

Most importantly, double check that the cooker is off when you have finished cooking.

Candle safety

Candles are best placed:

On a heat-resistant surface; be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic.

In a proper candle holder, so as they don’t fall over.

Out of draughts and away from curtains, other fabrics or furniture, which could all catch fire.

Away from clothes and hair – if there’s any chance you could forget a candle is there and lean across it, put it somewhere else.

Also don’t forget to love your smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of escaping unharmed.

Have an escape plan and follow it - know exactly which way you will leave your home and know where you will go.

Mark Thomas, Group Manager at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, said: “A romantic meal for two is a great way to mark Valentine’s Day, but it’s important to remember the risks that may come with it.

“Cooking is the biggest cause of accidental fires in the home, so we’re asking people to take care and not get distracted in the kitchen particularly when that all important meal is on the go.

“Nothing would be worse than having to see our firefighters come to the rescue when you have a romantic evening planned so please take extra care this Valentine’s Day and ensure that you stay fire safe

For further advice on fire safety contact Fire Service Direct on 0800 731 5958.