Barbecues
Who doesn’t love a barbecue on holiday? Especially on a camping trip, or when you’ve rented a holiday let with an outdoor kitchen. But there are a few things you need to be mindful of when you’re planning to do any al fresco cooking…
Barbecues can be a great way to make the most of outdoor eating. To help you avoid the sort of accidents that are all too often associated with this method of cooking, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) offers the following tips:
Choose a barbecue that is strong and sturdy
Check the barbecue is in good condition with no loose or damaged parts
Use the barbecue on level ground away from anything that might catch fire such as fences, a tent or overhanging trees
Never light a barbecue in an enclosed space
Prepare the barbecue early to ensure it’s the right temperature by the time you want to cook
Take particular care in hot, dry weather to reduce the risk of starting a forest or grass fire
Never pour petrol, methylated spirit or other accelerants on a barbecue
Use long-handled tools
Be careful of steam when opening foil parcels
Wait for the metal parts of the barbecue to cool down completely before touching them
Don’t leave children unsupervised near a barbecue
Make sure the barbecue is fully extinguished before you leave it
Take care when getting rid of a disposable barbecue, or barbecue coals – make sure they have cooled down before putting them in a bin.
Even cooling barbecues can give off carbon monoxide which can kill, so never take a barbecue into a tent, awning or other enclosed space.