Fire Safety Tips for Barbecues (BBQs)

In this article we walk you through some important fire safety tips for using for BBQ.  Aegis Safe provide all of your fire service needs including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire doors and fire hydrants.

Contact Aegis Safe for fire protection services.

• Ensure the bbq is being looked after by a responsible adult at all times.
• Establish a minimum 1 metre safety zone around the barbecue – NO KIDS AND NO PETS ALLOWED.
• Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.
• Never leave unsupervised children near the bbq.
• Don’t wear loose clothing that could come in contact with the grill and catch fire.  Use long-handled barbecue tools and flame resistant oven mitts.
• Secure or remove your barbecue lighter.  Keep them out of reach of children.
• Follow the manufacturers instructions when lighting your bbq.  Always open the barbecue lid before lighting it.  Have your barbecue lighter or match ready.  Turn on the propane cylinder by turning on the valve.  Now turn on the barbecue at the burner controls.  Light the bbq using the igniter button or inserting a long match or barbecue lighter into the side burner hole.  If the burner fails to ignite, keep the lid open, turn off the gas at the cylinder and wait 5 minutes to allow any build-up of vapours to clear before trying again.
• When you are done barbecuing, first shut off the valve on the propane cylinder.  This will allow any gas remaining in the hose line to be burned off.  Once the cylinder is shut off and all gas in the hose line has been burned off, turn off the burner controls on the barbecue.  Allow the barbecue to cool down fully before placing any protective cover on it.
• Remember, barbecues can be dangerous when mixed with carelessness or excessive alcohol.  Always use alcohol responsibly around barbecues.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or garden hose connected to a water supply nearby in case of a fire.

Barbecue Fire Safety

A barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable experience but it’s all too easy to be distracted when you have friends and family around you whilst cooking. To avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions:

General Safety

• Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.
• Ensure the barbecue is on a flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs.
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
• Never leave the barbecue unattended.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies.
• Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move it.
• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base to a depth of about 50mm (2 inches).
• Only use recognised fire lighters or starter fuel and only on cold coals – use the minimum necessary and never use petrol.
• Never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin – they could melt the plastic and cause a fire.

We will also install fire extinguishers and carry out fire extinguisher services, fire extinguisher maintenance and fire extinguisher testing.

Tips for having a safe barbeque

We recommend following this simple safety checklist to assist you to have a safe barbeque.

• Make sure you are aware of, and comply with, any fire restrictions that may be in place in your area like total fire bans
• Ensure that your barbeque is serviced and maintained correctly including scheduled pressure testing of any gas cylinders and you should check the condition of all the hoses and connections.
• Carry out a check of the cylinder for rust or damage and ensure any connections are correctly tightened on your gas barbeques before you try and light it.
• Always position your barbeque on a firm, level base that’s sheltered from wind gusts and well away from anything flammable like vegetation, garden sheds, fences etc
• Have a garden hose or similar continuous supply of water available at all times
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the correct start up and shut down procedures
• Ensure that the lit barbeque is in the care of a responsible adult at all times
• Never put any flammable liquid on a barbeque
• Keep children away from any barbeque and remember to remove and secure any lighters and matches
• Only use a barbeque in a well ventilated area as fumes and gases emitted may be harmful
• If a gas leak does occur shut off the cylinder immediately and allow any gas to dissipate

Other Resources:

1. http://www.windsorfire.com/divisions-prevention-barbecue-fire-safety
2. http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=323
3. http://bbq.about.com/b/2005/10/01/bbq-fire-safety-dull-but-important.htm
4. http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=298&itemID=18346&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fact%20sheets/Seasonal%20safety/Grilling
5. http://www.oshawa.ca/fire/BBQ.asp
6. http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/fire/Pages/BBQFireSafety.aspx
7. http://www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/promoting-safer-communities/community-fire-safety/fire-safety-advice/bbq
8. http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/BarbecueSafety.asp
9. http://www.cityofboston.gov/fire/safety/bbq_safety.asp
10. http://www.clevelandcounty.com/emfm/grillsaf.htm