We Australians love to get into our patios, verandahs, pergolas and other outdoor living areas as much as we can, and with the warm weather now here, for many of us that means firing up the barbecue. In fact, according to Roy Morgan Research data, around 64 per cent of us own a barbecue. In South Australia, the figure is over 71 per cent, which in our eyes makes you heroes!
However, this passion comes with a risk, with many people each summer burning themselves in incidents involving barbecues. Not surprisingly, Australia Day, which is only a little over a month away, is generally the worst day on the calendar for barbecue accidents.
Here at Outside Concepts, we want people to get into their outdoor living areas as much as possible, but we want them to do it safely. So, here are some tips to ensure your next barbecue is as safe as possible.
Outdoor living BBQ safety tips
- Make sure your gas cylinder and hose is in good condition before you light your barbecue. It’s a good idea to make it part of your routine to check these every time you have a barbecue.
- It can be tempting, particularly when you have guests, to sit down in your outdoor living area while your barbecue feast cooks. But not only is there a risk of burning your meat, it’s also unsafe. Never leave an operating barbecue unattended and ensure the flame is fully extinguished and the gas bottle turned off when finished.
- Keep your barbecue clean. Not just the grills and hotplates where your food goes, but also underneath where the fat drips down.
- On a day of total fire ban, know the rules in your area about enjoying a barbecue in your outdoor living area. Wood, heat beads, charcoal and any other solid or liquid fuelled barbecues are likely to be out, but gas and electrical barbecues are generally okay. There are some stipulations, however, such as making sure the bbq is within 20 metres of your home, you have a hose or water supply nearby, there’s no flammable material within five metres and a responsible adult (i.e. that’s you!) supervises.
- It’s an excellent idea to have a garden hose or water supply nearby whenever operating a barbecue, or even better, a fire extinguisher.
- Keep flammable items (e.g. wood and charcoal, as well as mulch, trees and shrubs) well away from your barbecue.
- There are devices you can purchase and use that will shut off the gas from the cylinder if a leak occurs. What a hot idea!
- Never enclose a barbecue in a small area when operating or use a barbecue inside your home, or near open doors or windows. Of course, this is generally not an issue in an outdoor living area, but it’s a good point to make.
- Swap your gas cylinders reasonably regularly (never an issue in our outdoor living areas!) or if the cylinder is yours have it serviced and maintained every couple of years.
- Never use aerosols, including oil sprays and insect repellents, around an operating barbecue.
Life’s too short to compromise. Phone Outside Concepts on 1800 601 674 for a free quote.
Safely enjoy a barbecue in your outdoor living area with these tips from Outside Concepts.