BBQ safety advice

As the summer months are approaching family BBQs are brought into the garden and can be great fun, when you are relaxing the last thing you’re probably thinking about is safety. This is when accidents can happen; BBQs can get out of control easily if you are not careful.

BE CAREFUL

• When children are around
• When lightening a BBQ
• When disposing of used BBQ coals
• When people are drinking
• With gas bottles
• With candles and cigarettes.

Pre-planning and care, especially when young children are in attendance is vital, by following some simple precautions this can reduce the risks of BBQ mishaps.

BBQ safety

To avoid injuries or damage to your home, try following some essential BBQ safety points we have placed together:

• Make sure your BBQ is in good working order
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergencies
• Always site a BBQ on a firm level base, sheltered from gusts of wind so that the BBQ will not tip up and well away from anything flammable, the house, sheds, fences, garden furniture and overhanging trees and shrubs. Don’t put the BBQ where people have to squeeze past it
• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the BBQ to the depth of around 50mm (2”) and only use approved BBQ fuel or fire lighters, following the manufactures guidelines. Never use petrol or paraffin
• Do not allow a BBQ to burst into flames or burn fiercely
• Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area, children can be fascinated and curious around BBQs, make sure they do not step to close
• Watch out when cooking fatty foods, this can cause fat spilling over the coals and this may make them flare up
• When you have finished cooking, make sure the BBQ has cooled down before trying to move it
• Empty any ash on to bare garden soil – never empty out embers straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin. If they are hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire. TIP: Pour water over them to make absolutely sure they have cooled down
• Remember: BBQs should never be lit inside

CAUTION: NEVER LEAVE A BBQ UNATTENDED

Remember: consuming alcohol and cooking do not mix! If you are ‘chef’, take responsibility and avoid indulging in drinks until your cooking duties are completed.

Gas barbeques

Bottled gas cylinders need special care when being turned on and off, make sure the controls and the cylinder value are turned off before you change the cylinder. Change the cylinder in the open-air if possible, otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.

IMPORTANT: 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 BBQ controls, to ensure any gas in the pipeline is used up.

Storing gas cylinders

• Do not keep more gas cylinders than you require
• Always store gas cylinders outside
• Keep gas cylinders away from direct sunlight and frost
• Never store gas cylinders under the stairs of your home – if you are upstairs this is the means of escape from a fire!

Is your home insurance cover adequate?

Make sure you have adequate home insurance cover and make sure your outdoor equipment such as your BBQ is covered by your home and contents insurance by contacting one of our home insurance advisors, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about arranging your home insurance cover.

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