Ovenu, the Croydon-based professional oven valeting firm, is warning householders over the danger of using dirty cookers.

The build up of grease and dirt inside an oven is a common cause of household fires. However, cleaning the oven is an often neglected chore that could have dire consequences.

,p>The cause and effects of an oven fire are similar to a chip pan or deep fat frying fire, which are two of the more well-known kitchen-based accidents.

Government statistics reveal that more people die each week as a result of accidents in the home, of which most are fires, than on the roads. Every year the Fire Service is called out to over 600,000 fires in the home. And every around 500 people die in these fires are over 10,000 are injured.

According to the 2004 Fire Statistic report, released by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2006, the main source of ignition of accidental fires in the home was cooking appliances (57 per cent or 27,200 accidental fires).

Fires started by cooking appliances were also responsible for 16 per cent of deaths in accidental fires in the home.

Luke Payne from Ovenu said: “The number of fires caused by ovens should be a warning to people that an unclean cooker can lead to serious injury or even death. We are always reminded of the importance of keeping the kitchen clean when it comes to food safety; however the oven is often ignored. The build up of fat or oil inside the oven could have far greater consequences than a dirty floor or working surface.”

“Ovenu has had clients who have been affected by this issue including one who had been cooking a meal when grease at the back of the oven caught fire. Fortunately, they were able to put it out before it had chance to spread and cause further damage. This is a warning to every household that an unclean oven is a potentially fatal hazard.”