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Barbecues

​Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies whenever you BBQ and be sure to follow our safety tips below. See the video below from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service:

How to barbecue safely

  • 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
  • Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue
  • Never use a barbecue indoors because of the amount of Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas they emit
  • Never store gas cylinders under the stairs
  • When using a gas barbecue, remember to turn the gas supply off first and then the barbecue control

Be carbon monoxide aware

  • Never use disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns, or charcoal grills or disposable barbecues inside as using these indoors can cause CO poisoning
  • Fumes can still be present many hours after you have used them – levels high enough to result in CO poisoning
  • Opening tent flaps, doors or windows is insufficient to prevent the build-up of CO concentrations from these devices

Visit our avoiding fires in the home page for advice on how to check your home. You can download a checklist and find out how to apply for a visit should you need more help.

The Government website has a useful information ‘Fire safety outdoors’ leaflet you can download and display.

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