We’ve all been eagerly awaiting the return of longer, sunnier days, and summer will be here before you know it. With that comes the immediate urge to get outside and into the garden, usually to host a barbecue for family and friends.

Barbecues are a great way to enjoy the summer days late into the evening, but fire safety should always be at the forefront of your mind. With this in mind, at Fire Safety Equipment, we wanted to share our top tips for barbeque safety in 2024 so that your summer goes smoothly.

Check your barbeque is in good condition

No doubt your barbeque has been sitting in the garden or garage since last year – or maybe for several years – so it’s worth doing some basic maintenance checks to make sure everything is safe to use. 

This applies whether you have a high-tech gas barbeque with all the flashy features or just a simple charcoal barbeque. Some things you can check include: 

• The stability of your barbecue
• Any damage caused over the winter
• Whether it was cleaned after the last usage
• Whether any local wildlife has taken refuge inside it
  

Keep your barbeque away from trees, shrubs and the shed

The positioning of your barbeque can help to minimise the risk of a fire spreading if things get out of control or if accidents happen. 

By keeping a barbeque well away from nearby trees, shrubs and even the shed, you remove places for flames to catch. Not only could it cause a lot of damage if your barbeque sets these things on fire, but it could also spread faster than you’re able to handle.

Place the barbecue on a flat surface

Another element of positioning your barbecue relates to the surface it is placed on. If it’s on an uneven or bumpy surface – this could be your lawn or loose paving slabs – then there is always a risk it could tip over and start a larger fire. 

Always place your barbecue on a flat, even surface to keep it secure and stable. Many modern barbecues come with adjustable feet so you can position them at the most appropriate height.

Keep a fire extinguisher nearby 

While many people will probably have a bucket of water available nearby, it’s always better to have a dry powder fire extinguisher to hand. This allows you to extinguish any flames on the barbecue if they get out of hand or if the flames have spread to other areas in your garden.

Throwing water on what is essentially a cooking fire could create more issues, whereas the powder from an extinguisher will quickly smother the fire without splashing or spreading any liquid or flammable materials.

At Fire Safety Equipment, we stock powder fire extinguishers in a range of sizes, from 1kg to 9kg, so that you can find the most suitable unit for your needs this summer.

Never leave your barbecue unattended

As with any cooking equipment, you should never leave your barbecue unattended at any point. There are several reasons for this, including:

• Keeping flames in check
• Monitoring food items
• Ensuring the barbecue doesn’t tip over
• Preventing injury to children and vulnerable adults

Leave your barbecue to cool before moving it

Finally, once you’ve finished cooking on your barbecue, always leave it to cool down before moving it anywhere. That means you can enjoy your burgers, wings or whatever else you’ve cooked while the temperature lowers. You thereby minimise the risk of injury or spreading any superheated materials around. Remember though, you still need to keep a close eye on the barbecue while it cools to avoid accidents.

Get yourself ready for a summer of fun by making sure you have the fire safety equipment you need. Shop for fire extinguishers online using our handy store and put your mind at ease so that you can fully relax and enjoy the sunshine. Our quality equipment is delivered fast and free here in the UK with a five-year guarantee, and it’s for this reason that our customers have been leaving us five-star reviews. 

From families entertaining at home to businesses looking to host barbecue parties, get all your fire safety equipment in one easy order today.