NEWS RELEASES
Safety tips for summer barbeques
6th August 2007
ASSUMING more good summer weather is on its way, Horsham District Council has put together a list of safety tips which will ensure that residents enjoy their barbeques to the utmost and avoid any health related repercussions.
The top tips for barbecue safety are as follows:
Food safety:
- Wash hands before preparing food and after handling raw meats and poultry
- Keep all raw meats and poultry separate from ready to eat foods such as salads
- Try to keep all perishable foods cool
- Keep ready to eat foods such as salads, rice, pasta etc covered
- Fully defrost frozen meats and poultry (in the fridge of microwave) prior to cooking unless the cooking instructions state otherwise
- Light the barbeque in advance ad make sure that the charcoal is glowing red with grey powdered edges before starting to cook
- Cook all meats and poultry right the way through until juices run clear. If possible, try to pre-cook poultry in the microwave and move straight to barbeque to finish off
- If the food begins to burn on the outside, raise the grill height or reduce the heat
- Eat food as soon as it’s ready
- Throw away any perishable food that has been left out in the open air for a period of 4 hours
Fire safety:
- Ensure that barbeque site is flat and well away from sheds, fences and shrubs
- Never light barbeques indoors
- Keep children and pets well away from the cooking area
- Never leave the barbeque unattended
- Keep a bucket of water, sand, etc close by in case of emergency
- Never try to move a lit barbeque
- Ensure coals are cool before attempting to move or empty ashes
Gas barbeques:
- Ensure that gas tap is turned off before changing the gas bottle
- Change gas bottles in open air
- Always turn the gas bottle after cooking is finished
Barbeque smoke:
- Barbeque smoke can cause a problem for neighbouring properties. Smoke is particularly a problem at the lighting up stage and problems can be aggravated if lighter fuel is used
Ways to ensure that neighbouring properties are not adversely affected include:
- Tell neighbours about the barbeque, or invite them
- Check the wind direction to ensure that the smoke won’t blow straight into the neighbour’s property. If it does, consider moving the barbeque to a more sheltered area
- Don’t light the barbeque when neighbours have got their washing out
- Be vigilant by keeping any smoke to a minimum and if a nuisance occurs be prepared to extinguish the barbeque
- Avoid playing amplified music outside
If bothered by smoke or noise, residents might consider approaching their neighbours and explaining the problem.
If the barbeque is regularly causing aggravation and talking to the neighbours has not worked, residents are invited to contact Horsham District Council’s Public Health and Licensing department on 01403 215609 or email publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk.
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk