Using the bbq is a good way to enjoy the great outdoors.
With the arrival of warm, sunny weather, barbecues are selling like hot cakes (or should
that be coals?) at DIY stores across the country.
But before you crack open a can of lager and bung on some sausages, make
sure you're not setting you and your family up for a major emergency.
"In a hot summer around 1,400 people in the UK will go to hospital as a
result of barbecue accidents," says Roger Vincent, a spokesperson for
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
"A lot of these will be minor burns, but there can be more serious
incidents. There have been some horrendous cases over the years of
people using petrol or meths to get the barbecue going, which then blows
right up," he warns.
Being safe is not about putting the dampeners on a fun family afternoon
or a get-together with friends, but making sure you are not too relaxed
about the basics.
"Barbecues should be great fun and hopefully it will be a great summer.
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We want people to enjoy themselves, but also follow some simple safety
guidelines," says Roger.
"A lot of it is common sense, but the main one to take note of is not
using petrol. But also, make sure your barbecue is stable - if you bang
into it and knock it over then you could have a problem."
Always be aware of what is around the bbq
He adds: "Spend your afternoon in the garden, not the hospital."
BBQ SAFETY GUIDELINES
Check over your equipment.
"Last year we had that wet summer, so many people won't have used their
barbecues for a long time. It's therefore especially important to check
that it's in a good condition," says Roger Vincent of RoSPA.
"If it's not in good mechanical order, it could collapse and you'll be
left with red hot coals all over your feet."
Follow the instructions.
There are many different types of barbecue on the market, so don't
assume you know how they all work. It's very important to read through
and follow the instructions as no two barbecues are the same. "Use it
the way it should be used," stresses Roger.
Position it correctly.
Don't place the barbecue next to a fence or shed, or anything else that
could ignite. It should be placed on stable, firm ground, somewhere it
is not going to topple over.
Never use flammable liquid such as petrol or meths to light a
barbecue.
If you want to use preparatory barbecue lighters follow the instructions
to the letter. Roger says: "The problem is often the changeable weather
that we have in this country. It might be a bit damp or a bit wet, and
you haven't got the barbecue ready in time. The guests are arriving and
you panic and think, 'I'll chuck some petrol on, that will get it
going'. Don't do it."
Use the right tools.
Keep some oven gloves by the barbecue and use them, and make sure you
have wooden-handled tools appropriate to the job.
Supervise all children.
You must take care that children do not play anywhere near the barbecue
- not just while you are cooking but for the remainder of the day.
"Bear in mind that the coals will be extremely hot even hours after
you've finished using it. You could be relaxing with a glass of wine, or
chatting to your neighbour over the fence, while a child clatters into
the barbecue and knocks it down," says Roger.
TREATING MINOR BURNS
NHS Direct offers the following advice for treating minor burns as a
result of barbecue accidents:
It is essential to apply appropriate first aid to any burns as soon
as possible, to limit the extent of the damage. You may need to do this
for yourself, or for someone else.
It is very important to stop the burning process as soon as possible.
This may mean removing the person from the area, dousing flames with
water, or smothering their body with a blanket to put out any flames.
However, do not put yourself at risk of getting burned as well.
Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burnt area of skin, but do
not try to remove anything that is stuck to the burned skin as this
could cause more damage.
Cool the burn with cool or tepid water for 10-30 minutes, ideally
within 20 minutes of the injury happening. Never use ice, iced water, or
any creams or greasy substances, such as butter.
Make sure that the person keeps warm, with a blanket or layers of
clothing (avoiding the injured area). This is necessary when you are
cooling a large area of skin because there is a risk of hypothermia,
particularly in children and the elderly.
Cover the burn using cling film, in a layer over the burn rather than
wrapping it around a limb. A clean, clear plastic bag is suitable for
burns on your hand.
Superficial burns will normally heal in around 14 days, and leave
minimal scarring.
The pain from a burn can be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Always check the packaging for the correct dosage.
Posted by: pachyderm, smouldering on 9:37pm Sun 11 May 08
[quote]A lot of it is common sense, but the main one to take note of is not using petrol[/quote] WHAT... at £5 per gallon ?? .. we will be using BRANDY !!!!
A lot of it is common sense, but the main one to take note of is not using petrol
WHAT... at £5 per gallon ?? .. we will be using BRANDY !!!!
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