Summer 2018 Barbecue safety Be barbecue safe, not sorry Eating outdoors on a summer evening is great, but do consider the hazards Never leave the barbecue unattended and have an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies Barbecues are a great attraction and a good way of enhancing an event but they have their own unique risks, which should not be underestimated. Its all too easy to be distracted when you have people around you while cooking, so to avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions. Make sure your barbecue is in good working order, and position it on flat ground, well away from flammable materials. Keep children, animals and any social activities well away from the cooking area and never leave the barbecue unattended. Have an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies. To prevent children, and adults not involved in the cooking, from accessing hot areas, surround the front and sides of the barbecue with barriers and, after use, allow it to cool down before attempting to move it If you intend to cook on a gas barbecue, you should: nM ake sure the on/off tap is in the off position before changing the LPG gas cylinder n Ensure all connections are secure but do not overtighten n Inspect the LPG pipe before use, to check it is in good condition n Change cylinders outdoors n After cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before turning off the barbecue controls, so any residual gas in the pipework is used up For more information on barbecue safety, go to the Fire Service or West Midlands Fire Service websites. Having a BBQ? Think about Cooking meat The two main risk factors when cooking meat on a barbecue are undercooked meat and spreading germs from raw meat to food that is ready to eat. Its also important to keep some foods cool to prevent food-poisoning germs from multiplying. Being a good neighbour Barbecues can be noisy and the cooking odours unpleasant. If your venue is in a residential area, consider how the event will affect your neighbours. Licensing Businesses, organisations and individuals who want to offer Credits: Jason Holt; Bob Charnley Images: istock / mphillips007 torwai / lissart entertainment at an event may require a licence or other authorisation from the local council. For more information on all of these topics, see Summer 2017 TSBN. Exercise caution with bouncy castles The dangers of bouncy castles have been nInflate and moor the castle. Stakes should in the national headlines recently, with the be at least a foot long. If the bouncy castle conviction of two fairground workers after cant be staked, dont hire it! the death of a seven-year-old girl. nLimit the number of children allowed on it at any one time Summer Grant died in March 2016, after nImplement rota systems to avoid mixing thebouncy castle in which she was playing children of different ages or sizes blew away from its moorings and bounced nProtect children and others from 300m down a hill. It came to rest after hitting Finally, remember that a mixture of alcohol and bouncy castles can be dangerous! The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents offers more advice on hiring a bouncy castle, while the PlayAction Guide has information on keeping children safe. electrical equipment a tree. A responsible adult should supervise and Married couple William and Shelby Thurston, manage children at all times while the of Wilburton, Cambridgeshire, were found bouncy castle is being used. They should not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence be allowed to climb on the walls, attempt in May. Chelmsford Crown Court heard that acrobatics for example, somersaults or they had failed to ensure the bouncy castle take food or drink onto the inflatable. was adequately anchored or to monitor weather conditions. Adults should only use bouncy castles made specifically for adult size and weight, and If you are thinking of having a bouncy castle adults and children should not be on the at an event you are running, ask the hire inflatable together. companies for detailed guidelines about how they operate. Does the equipment look well Extra insurance cover may be necessary maintained, and consider how they: if you hire a bouncy castle, and consider nIdentify an appropriate site for the castle what would need to happen in wet or n Cushion any hard ground at the open side windyweather. For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service