Warm weather and lighter evenings are a perfect time to light a barbecue and enjoy time outside with family and friends. We have a few tips which will reduce the risk of fire during or after cooking.
BBQ safety tips
To avoid injuries or damage to property follow these simple precautions:
- Never leave the BBQ unattended
- Ensure the BBQ is on a flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs
- Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area
- Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies
- Ensure the BBQ is cool before attempting to move it
Disposable Barbecues
If you do use a disposable barbecue:
- It is imperative that they are placed on an even surface on either bricks or paving slabs .
- Place disposable BBQs well away from the house, shed or fences.
- Do not use disposable barbecues near or on public benches.
- If you're using a disposable BBQ ensure it has cooled before putting it in the bin. To avoid starting a fire you should allow it to cool for several hours and then consider pouring water over it to make sure it's out.
Charcoal Barbecues
- Use only enough charcoal to cover the base to a depth of about 50mm (2 inches).
- Only use recognised fire lighters or starter fuel and only on cold coals - use the minimum necessary and never use petrol.
- Never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin - they could melt the plastic and cause a fire.
Gas Barbecues
- Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder
- Change cylinders outdoors if possible or in a well ventilated area
- If you suspect a leak to the cylinder or pipe work, brush soapy water around the joints and watch for bubbles - tighten to fix but do not overtighten
- After cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before turning off at the controls to ensure any residual gas in the pipe work is used up
Be carbon monoxide aware
- Never use fuel-burning equipment (as listed below) inside a tent.
- Using these indoors can cause Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- They give off fumes for hours and hours after you have used them - levels high enough to result in CO poisoning.
- To avoid hazardous CO exposures, fuel-burning equipment should never be used inside a tent, camper, or other enclosed shelter.
Fuel-burning equipment can include:
- camping stoves
- camping heaters
- lanterns
- charcoal grills
- disposable barbecues
Opening tent flaps, doors, or windows is insufficient to prevent build-up of CO concentrations from these devices.
Also, when using fuel-burning devices outdoors, the exhaust should not vent into enclosed shelters.