Barbecue Safety - 22/05/2010

Barbecue Safety

The good weather is likely to continue over the weekend, so it is instinctive to want to go outdoors and enjoy barbecues with family and friends.

While there are some risks involved, by following some simple rules you can ensure your barbecue is a safe and enjoyable event:

• Don't be over generous with the charcoal.
• Use only approved lighter fuels, never petrol.
• Lighter fuels must only be applied before lighting.
• Keep young children well away from the barbecue.
• If you are the chef, try not to drink too much alcohol whilst cooking.
• Remember to light your charcoal an hour before you commence cooking.
• Be careful with fatty foods and never pour oil onto meat when it is cooking.
• Never pour petrol on any barbecue to try and re-ignite it - start the process again, properly.
• After the event seal your charcoal bag and store in a dry place, which will make it easier to light next time.
• Stand portable barbecues on an even surface and make sure they are away from the house, fences or shed.
• After you have finished cooking, extinguish the burning coals. Then leave a period of time, one to three hours, to check that the fire is completely out.

This may be a formidable list but most of these things are common sense. By far the biggest danger is the use of flammable liquids to light the barbecue. We have heard of a couple of incidents where people have poured petrol onto the charcoal in an effort to 'get it going' and the reaction has, not surprisingly, been violent and highly dangerous.

Prepare well in advance and light the charcoal early. Most of all enjoy yourselves in safety.