Barbecues

Barbecues can get out of control if you are not careful. By following a few simple fire safety rules you can enjoy a safe barbecue and prevent accidental fires:

• 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 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.
• 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.

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