Fire safety in the garden
With Summer upon us, it's that time of year when the barbecue makes a return. Whilst it’s a great social event, having a barbecue can present serious fire safety risks, so it’s important to follow these safety tips to avoid garden fires.
- Keep barbecues, fire pits and chimineas well away from your home and any fences, sheds, trees or bushes.
- Set up barbecues, fire pits and chimineas off the ground on a firm level surface. Ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving them unattended.
- Keep children and pets well away from barbecues, fire pits and chimineas.
- Keep a bucket of sand or water nearby for emergencies.
- Only move your barbecues, fire pits and chimineas once they are completely cooled.
- If you are going to put the ash into a bin, make sure there are no hot embers before you do. Embers could be hot enough to start a bin fire a long time after your fire appears to have gone out.
- Use correct firelighters to start your barbecues and never put any accelerant on a lit fire, even if there are no flames.
- Ensure cigarettes are properly disposed of in your garden.
- Do not burn waste in your garden.