BBQ safety

Please note: This safety advice is offered as guidance only. If in doubt, Get out, Stay out and get the Fire and Rescue Service out!

Having a barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. But cooking over hot coals can be hazardous.

It's easy to be distracted when you have family and friends around you whilst cooking.

Make sure that your barbecue is in good working order
Keep a bucket of water, a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies
Make sure your barbecue site is flat and well away from sheds, fences,
trees and shrubs
Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth
of about 50mm (two inches)
Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area
Never leave the barbecue unattended
When you've finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before
trying to move it. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil
Never put ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin. If they're hot, they
can melt the plastic and cause a fire

Remember - Barbecues should never be lit indoors!

Do's and don'ts

Bottled gas barbecues need special care when being turned on and off
Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder
Change gas cylinders in the open air if possible, or open doors and windows to provide good ventilation
When you’ve finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls, to ensure any gas in the pipeline is used up
Do not overload sockets

If you suspect a leak to the gas cylinder or pipe work:

Do's and don'ts

Do not keep more spare gas cylinders than you need
Store gas cylinders outside
Keep gas cylinders away from frost and direct sunlight
Never store gas cylinders under the stairs of your home - if you are upstairs this is your means of escape from a fire

Enjoy yourself, but remember - too much alcohol and fire never mix!