With the 75th Anniversary of VE Day Bank Holiday this weekend and fine weather forecast, many of us will no doubt decide on a family barbeque as part of our ‘lockdown’ celebrations.

However, it’s important to keep an eye on safety as barbeques have specific fire risks that should not be underestimated but which can be overcome with good preparation and some simple common-sense.

To avoid injuries or damage to property, the Fire & Rescue Service recommend following these simple precautions:

General Safety
• Make sure your barbecue is in good working order
• Ensure the barbecue 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
• Never leave the barbecue unattended – it’s easy to be distracted by other people whilst cooking
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies
• Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move it.

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.

Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe at home. Our mission is to work hard every day to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety products that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on.

Firechief products carry a range of accreditations such as the BSI Kitemark, LPCB approval, MED certification, CE mark and Apragaz QA and set the standard for those who are seeking competitively priced, superior quality, UK-approved fire safety products.

The Firechief® range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and the Kitchen Stove Guard. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.

The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.