Barbecues and BBQ Safety by Katie Kress

When the weather is pleasant, there is no better way to spend time with your friends and family than hosting a barbecue. Whether you will be caravanning, camping, or simply firing up your barbecue in your backyard, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal prepared in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, many injuries involving barbecues and outdoor cooking occur each year, but by keeping the following tips in mind, you’ll be prepared to enjoy your barbecue safely.

• BBQ Fire Safety Guide – Avoid the dangers surrounding fire and BBQ use.
• Barbecue Care Tips – Use these important BBQ care tips in order to avoid a fire.
• Disposable BBQ Risks – Understanding the risks associated with disposable BBQs.
  

Stay Safe Whilst Barbecuing 

The next time you barbecue, ensure a safe and enjoyable experience by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Always keep your BBQ in good working order, and never use it if you suspect a problem.
• Only use a BBQ on a flat location away from trees, shrubs, and structures.
• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas, and never leave your BBQ unattended.
• Always have a bucket of sand or water available in the event of a fire emergency.
• Never move a BBQ until it is completely cool.

In addition to these general BBQ safety tips, there are additional guidelines depending on the specific type of BBQ that you are using.

Charcoal Barbecues 

• Only light your barbecue using cold coals with recognised fire starter or lighter. Only use the minimum necessary, and avoid the use of petrol.
• Use enough charcoal to cover up the barbecue base to a depth of 2 inches (or about 50 mm).
• Avoid putting hot ashes directly into the dustbin—this is a potential fire hazard.
  

 

Gas Barbecues 

• Before you change the gas barbecue cylinder, make sure the tap has been turned off.
• Always change your barbecue cylinders in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
• When finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the BBQ controls in order to use up any residual gas left in the pipe.
• If you suspect a leak, brush soapy water along the joints and look for bubbles.
  

 

Caravan Safety Tips 

Considering the small size of a caravan, it is easy to see why fire risks are amplified at these locations. To stay safe, you’ll need to have a smoke detector installed and take some important precautions:

• Once you arrive at a caravan site, identify the firefighting resources available.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the caravan exit door.
• Ensure all members of your party can operate the doors and escape windows.
• Keep gas barbecue cylinders outside of the caravan unless your space has a special ventilated compartment.
  

Camping Safety Tips 

 Camping is one of the most popular places to use a barbecue, but safety is a major concern. Each year, many people experience fire-related injuries whilst camping and attempting to operate their barbecue, but by following some safety guidelines, you can keep yourself safe:

• Keep barbecues and other cookers away from the entrance of your tent.
• Ensure that your cooker is stable and won’t be knocked over by drafts, pets, or running children.
• Never use liquid fuel appliances, if avoidable.
• Ensure that disposable gas barbecue cylinders are completely empty before changing them.
  

Building a Fire Safely 

If you will be building an open fire at your campsite, keep the following tips in mind:

• Ensure proper distance (10 meters at minimum) between your tent and the fire or barbecue. More room may be required in windy conditions.
• Never build a fire or use a BBQ on peat soil.
• Clear away brush, leaves, and grass.
• Create a fire stack that will collapse inward when burning.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and be wary of sparks or flying embers.
• Properly extinguish a fire before leaving or going to bed for the evening.
  

 

Other Camping Tips 

Barbecues aren’t the only hazard for which you need to be concerned with camping. These tips can help you avoid injury on your next outdoor excursion:

• Determine where the nearest emergency telephone or fire point are located.
• Never leave barbecues or campfires unattended, especially if you have children or pets with you.
• Clear away glasses and bottles from your campsite after you barbecue—they could magnify the sun’s rays and cause a fire.
• Space tents at least 6 meters (or 18 feet) apart.
• Use battery-powered lighting inside or near your tent—never use candles.
• Don’t smoke, especially inside a tent.
• Keep all cooking and barbecue equipment away from tents.

Using a BBQ grill is an activity that your entire family can enjoy. By making safety a priority, you’ll get the most enjoyment out of your barbecue.

• Cleaning Your BBQ – Step-by-step instructions on how to properly clean up your BBQ after use
• Hack Your BBQ – How to get the most out of your BBQ
• Hidden BBQ Dangers – Be aware of these hidden BBQ dangers in order to keep yourself—and your family—safe.
• Safe BBQ Storage – Tips on how to storage your BBQ safely
• Taking Care of Your BBQ – Get the perfect grill by properly caring for your barbecue

Link to original article:
https://billyoh.com/resource/barbecues-and-bbq-safety