This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
A helpful list of safety tips for operating barbecues this summer has been issued by the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service as part of the national Fire Kills campaign.
The advice pays particular attention to the risks when lighting barbecues or operating them during bad weather.
Chief fire officer Steve Apter said,
“It is vitally important people remember to be patient and follow the key advice when operating barbecues.
“If you’ve planned a barbecue and the weather lets you down, don’t take the barbecue indoors or into a tent. In recent years, some people have sadly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result, so we are urging everyone to take special care and follow our key tips.”
- Never leave a barbecue unattended.
- Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues.
- Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.
- Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more.
- Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.
- After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
- Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
- Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.
- Always keep a bucket of water, sand or garden hose nearby for emergencies.
- Never use a barbecue indoors.
Steve Apter added,
“This may seem a long 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 had a couple of occasions 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.”
For more information on fire safety, please visit: www.facebook.com/firekills
