Barbecue

Fire safety shouldn’t stop when you leave your home. Carelessness outdoors can have fatal results, and fires can also destroy huge areas of countryside and delicate ecosystems.

Be alert to outdoor fire hazards

It is important to be aware of the fire hazards leisure activities such as barbecues, camping and caravanning can pose. Dry ground in the summer adds to the dangers – but care should be taken at all times of the year. To barbecue safely and avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple tips:

• make sure your barbecue is in good working order;
• keep a bucket of water or sand, or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies;
• make sure your barbecue site is flat and away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs ;
• use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about 5cms (2 inches);
• never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuel, on cold coals;
• keep children, garden games and pets away from the cooking area.

Additional tips for gas barbecues

• take particular care when turning bottled-gas barbecues on and off;
• make sure the tap is off before changing the gas cylinder;
• change cylinders in the open air if possible – or open doors and windows to ensure good ventilation.
• when you’ve finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls – this ensures that any gas in the pipeline is used up.

If you suspect a leak to the gas cylinder or pipework:

• brush soapy water around all joints and look for bubbles
• if you find a leaky joint, try to tighten it
• but be careful not to over-tighten joints

How you store the gas cylinders for your barbecue is also important. They should be kept outside, but away from direct sunlight and frost. Don’t keep more cylinders than you need and don’t store them under the stairs in your house – if you were to have a fire, the stairs are likely to be your escape route.