Find out how to stay safe this Summer with our BBQ safety advice!
Just because you might be having a fun BBQ party in your garden, doesn't mean that you can forget about gas safety. If you’re using a BBQ there are a number of precautions that you need to take in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, such as your family and friends. Barbecue safety is really important because both gas and solid fuel BBQs come with the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Follow our BBQ safety tips and enjoy your food without any added risks.
BBQ safety checklist
Bog Standard Plumbing and Heating has come up with a checklist that you can follow so that you can remain aware of the essential safety measures that you must take when cooking on a barbecue.
You must never use a BBQ indoors
Whether you're in a tent, caravan or even a small cabin, you should never bring a barbecue grill inside. As the fumes from the BBQ are toxic, leaving it anywhere indoors can trap the toxic fumes inside, causing harm to those inside your home. Even when you have finished cooking with it a barbecue can still give off fumes that can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep the cooking area a distance from bedrooms or sleeping areas
If you keep a barbecue too close to the areas where people sleep, then this could result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Warning signs that you could have carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Breathlessness
- Dizziness
- Collapsing / loss of consciousness
Always use your BBQ in accordance with the operating instructions.
When using a barbecue in the summer months, it is always advisable to have the operating manual or instructions handy in case of the event that something goes wrong. Always. follow and consult the manufacturer’s instructions for appliance specific advice on use, ventilation, maintenance and care.
You can never be too safe when it comes to barbecue safety!
Gas BBQ maintenance tips
If you’re using a gas BBQ here are some additional safety tips to keep you safe while cooking. Note that these tips can also be applied to other gas devices like camping stoves, lights, or heaters.
- Before you use a BBQ always check it is in good working order. If you do not know how to check this then call one of our Gas Safe registered engineers via 0330 113 2248 and we can tell you how to do so.
- When changing your gas cylinder, make sure that you always turn off the gas taps, and always change the cylinder in the open air
- Do not over-tighten joints
- Always turn off the gas cylinder before turning off the BBQ controls to ensure that any gas left in the pipeline is used up entirely
- Ensure that you follow and consult the manufacturer’s instructions for specific advice on each appliance
What should I do if I suspect my BBQ gas cylinder has a leak?
If a gas bottle valve leak is observed or suspected, relocate the BBQ gas bottle to a place at least 20 metres away from any potential source of fire for gas bottle safety (gas cylinder safety). Then, check that the valve has been switched off. You should always ensure to keep water away from flames and sparks.
If you can't stop the leak, keep it at the top so that only gas, not liquid, escapes, then maintain a safe distance between your hands and your face from any leaking gas or liquid.
Ensure that all fixed LPG appliances are annually serviced
Every year, you must have all fixed LPG gas appliances serviced and safety tested by a Gas Safe licenced engineer. It is critical that your expert be qualified to work on both your premises and the appliance. For example, if you have an LPG cooker that you use instead of a barbecue, the cooker must be annually serviced to ensure the safety of those around it when in use.