Barbecue Safety

With our warm climate and love of outdoor living and barbecues, there are a few safety measures which need to be considered when ‘firing up the barbie':

Preparation

• Ensure that your barbecue is serviced and maintained correctly including scheduled pressure testing of any gas cylinders and checking of the condition of the all hoses and connections.
• Carry out a check of the cylinder for rust or damage and ensure any connections are correctly tightened on gas barbecues before lighting.

Protect your environment

• Always site a barbecue on a firm, level base, sheltered from wind gusts and well away from anything flammable like garden sheds, vegetation, fences etc.
• Have a garden hose or similar continuous supply of water available at all times.
• Clear the surrounding area of combustibles before lighting a barbecue.
• Allow hot ashes or coals to cool for 48 hours before removing them.
• Remember that LPG is flammable, heavier than air and may remain in areas for some time.
• Make sure you comply with any fire restrictions that may be in place, such as total fire bans.

• Ensure that the lit barbecue is in the care of a responsible adult at all times.
• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions and use the correct start up and shut down procedures.
• Never put any flammable liquid on a barbecue.
• Keep children away from any lit barbecue and remember to remove and secure any lighters and matches.
• Use alcohol responsibly around barbecues.
• Only use a barbecue 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.