‘FOLLOW THE BBQ BASICS THIS BANK HOLIDAY!’ SAY FIREFIGHTERS

Firefighters are reminding people to take a little extra care if they are firing up their BBQs over the bank holiday break to make sure it’s just their sausages they are sizzling!

The warning comes following a fire at a family barbeque in Crawley yesterday. Firefighters were called to the house on Pound Hill just before 1pm after a barbeque and gas cylinder caught light in the back garden. Luckily nobody was hurt and fire crews were able to bring the blaze under control.

Each year West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is called to extinguish dozens of blazes where barbeques have got out of hand or coals have been discarded carelessly.

As we enjoy a prolonged spell of warm weather across the county and look forward to a bonus bank holiday period, firefighters are recommending taking a few simple precautions to ensure our alfresco cooking stays safe.

Community Fire Safety Officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Jackie Boyle, said:

“With the bank holidays coming up and many people celebrating the royal wedding, having a barbeque with friends and family is a great way to socialise and make the most of the sunshine. Whether you are barbequing at home or getting out into the Sussex countryside, following a few common sense tips should ensure that everyone enjoys themselves safely.”

Barbeque Basics:

. Make sure that your barbeque is placed on clear level ground where it will not tip over.
. Use approved barbeque fuel or firelighters to light it, never petrol or paraffin.
. Keep barbeques away from the house, shed, fences, garden furniture or overhanging trees and shrubs.
. Keep children and pets well away from the cooking area.
. Don’t leave your barbeque unattended at any time.
. Empty any spent ash on to bare soil, not into a dustbin.
. If you are lighting a barbeque in the countryside or on the beach – check beforehand that it is an authorised area.
. When using a disposable barbeque make sure the coals are completely cold before throwing them away.

Gas Barbeques:

. For bottled gas barbeques make sure the controls and the cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.
. If you think there may be a leak in the gas cylinder connections or pipe, brush soapy water over the joints and watch for bubbles. If you find a leaky joint try to tighten it, but don’t over tighten it.
. When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbeque controls. This makes sure any leftover gas in the pipe is used up.
. Store gas cylinders outside and protect them from frost and direct sunlight. Don’t keep more spare cylinders than you need.

For a full range of fire safety advice visit www.westsussex.gov.uk or call the Community Fire Safety Team on 01243 642879