In preparation for high temperatures this summer, the British
Retail Consortium (BRC) has come together with the National Fire
Chiefs Council (NFCC) to remind customers on how to use
disposable barbecues safely and prevent wildfires.
- Only use in suitable, safe areas, with plenty of space around
the BBQ, ensuring you follow any local rules or guidance on their
use. Never use in enclosed space.
- Never leave a BBQ unattended.
- Have a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergency use.
- Follow the safety instructions provided
- After use, ensure the BBQ is completely cool before disposal.
Empty cold ashes onto bare garden soil - not into a bin.
The advice comes as the BRC and NFCC launch their voluntary guidelines for
retailers on the sale of disposable barbecues. The guidelines aim
to “support responsible retailing, encourage retailers to educate
consumers on safe use and disposal in order to prevent wildfires
caused by disposable barbecues”.
The guidelines follow three key principles:
- Retailers will respond to reasonable, evidence based Local
Authority requests to remove disposable BBQs from sale. Retailers
will have systems in place to notify stores within their network
to remove disposable BBQs from sale.
- Retailers will remove disposable BBQs from sale once an
extreme heat event has been declared as imminent. Retailers
should also monitor the Fire Severity Index, and decide whether a
local or national ban is necessary.
- Retailers will advise their customers on the safe and
responsible use of disposable BBQs. This could include on-pack
use and disposal information, or educational information on the
shelf edge, digital platforms and/or print media.
Adrian Simpson, Product Safety Policy Adviser at the
British Retail Consortium, said:
“Disposable
barbecues provide a great way for people to enjoy the summer
outdoors. However, it is extremely important that users realise
that these must be used responsibly. They must only be used in
safe areas, they must never be left unattended, the safety
instructions must be followed, a bucket of water or sand must be
available nearby for emergency use, and the BBQ must be
completely cool before disposal.”
Paul Hedley, Wildfire Lead at the National Fire Chief
Council, said:
“These guidelines are a good start for mitigating wildfire risk
caused by disposable barbeques. Retailers can take an active role
in supporting community safety by responding to Local Authority
requests to remove disposable BBQs from sale and respond
proactively to imminent extreme heat. Additionally, members of
the public should make note of local guidelines, only using
disposable BBQs in appropriate areas and making sure that they
dispose of them safely. We'd always advise taking a picnic and
under no circumstances using disposable BBQs in the countryside
at times of high wildfire risk.”
-ENDS-
Notes: See the voluntary guidelines here
