Scientists at Exeter University in England have claimed that cooking with non-stick pans can be bad for your health as a chemical Perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, used for their heat resistant and stain repelling properties, has been linked to an increase in the incidence of thyroid disease.

However, that may not be the biggest danger in your kitchen.

One of the most hazardous is the open pan full of cooking oil for deep fat frying, which if left unattended can so easily catch fire. If this does happen, do not throw water onto it or try to carry it out of the kitchen, just turn off the heat and cover the pot with a wet towel.

Another danger zone is the cupboard under the sink, which can be a minefield with detergents, polishes, bleaches, caustic soda, drain cleaners, etc. Never use this space to store food and throw away old bottles of chemicals and, if you have a toddler in the house, put a childproof catch on the cupboard doors.