Barbeque Safety

Whether you are in the garden or out camping, follow these simple tips to barbeque safely and avoid injuries or damage to property from fire:

• Make sure your barbeque site is flat and away from fences, trees and sheds
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies
• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbeque to a depth of about 5 centimetres (2 inches)
• Never use petrol or paraffin to start, or revive, your barbeque - use only barbeque fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area
• Don't leave the barbeque unattended
• After cooking, make sure the barbeque is cool before trying to move it
• Empty ashes on to bare soil, not into a bin

For additional information you can read the Fire Safety Outdoors leaflet.

Additional Tips for Gas Barbeques

Follow these extra tips if you are using a gas barbeque:

• Make sure your barbeque is in good working order
• Make sure the tap is off before changing the gas cylinder and do it in the open air
• Don't over-tighten joints
• When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbeque controls - this means any gas in the pipeline will be used up
• Read the manufacturer's instructions about how to check for leaks in the cylinder or pipework, eg brushing soapy water around all joints and looking for bubbles

Storing Gas Cylinders

Don't keep more cylinders than you need. Gas cylinders should be kept outside, away from direct sunlight and frost. If you have to keep them inside your house, make sure you don't store them under the stairs. If there is a fire, they could explode and the stairs are likely to be your escape route.