Fire and Safety

BBQ Safety Tips Published

The Fire Brigade have launched a new initiative calling for Londoners to be “Be Better Qualified at your BBQ”.

As the weather warms up the Brigade is warning of the dangers of poorly managed barbecues which every summer cause fire crews to be called out to deal with easily avoided mistakes.

London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for fire safety Steve Turek said: “Using petrol to light your, barbecue or leaving it unattended are two of the common mistakes people make. Unfortunately, fires caused by barbecues get out of control and lead to a visit from local firefighters and potentially serious damage to your property.”

To help ensure barbecue remain safe and fun the Brigade has issued the following advice:

• Make sure your barbecue is placed on level ground where it will not tip over.
• Keep barbecues away from the house, sheds, fences, garden furniture and

overhanging trees or shrubs. Don’t put the barbecue where people have to squeeze past it.

• Only use approved barbecue fuel or fire lighters. Never use petrol or paraffin.
• Keep children and garden games well away from the cooking area.
• Never leave the barbecue unattended
• If you are the chef, don’t drink too much alcohol while cooking.
• Watch out when you are cooking fatty foods. Lots of fat spilling onto the coals might make them flare up.
• When you have finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.
• Empty the spent ash on to bare garden soil - never put it in the dustbin.
• If you are using a bottled gas barbecue, make sure the controls and the cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.
• Change the cylinder in the open air if you can, otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.
• If you think there might be a leak in the gas cylinder connections or pipe, brush soapy water over all of the joints and watch out for bubbles. If you find a leaky joint, try to tighten it but don’t over tighten it.
• When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls. This makes sure any leftover gas in the pipe is used up.
• Store your gas cylinders outside and protect from frost and direct sunlight. Don’t keep more spare cylinders than you need.

The Brigade is offering all London residents a free home fire safety visit. Firefighters visit homes, talk to you about fire risks and fit free smoke alarms if they are needed. Call 08000 28 44 28 to arrange a home fire safety visit.