Outdoor Cooking

Barbecue safety

A British summer isn't complete without a barbecue. However, before you start cooking over hot coals, get prepared by reading our essential barbecue tips for staying safe whilst having fun with family and friends:

• Alcohol consumption increases the risk of accidents occurring. Always take care using cooking fires.
• Concentrate on what you're doing - it's easy to be distracted when you have family and friends around you whilst cooking and this is often when accidents can happen.
• Barbecue gone out? NEVER use petrol or paraffin to revive your barbecue. Use only recognised lighters or starter fuel on cold coals in moderation.
• Make sure your barbecue is in good working order and that the site is flat and well away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs.
• Keep a bucket of water and/or a hose pipe nearby in case of emergencies.
• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about 50mm (two inches).
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. When you've finished. cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it.
• NEVER leave the barbecue unattended.
• NEVER use a barbecue on your balcony under any circumstance.
• NEVER put ashes straight into a dustbin/wheelie bin. If they're hot they could melt the plastic and cause a fire.
• Remember - barbecues should never be lit indoors!

Gas barbecues

• Bottled gas barbecues need special care when being turned on and off.
• Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder. Change gas cylinders in the open air if possible or open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.
• When you've finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls. This ensures any gas in the pipeline is used up.

Please remember....

• To start your barbecue only use Barbecue Lighter Fuel or Firelighters, NEVER use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids. Once your barbecue is lit, NEVER add more liquid fuel.
• Make sure your barbecue is on a safe, flat surface and well away from fences, plants, garden furniture and other flammable items.
• Keep children and pets well away from your barbecue.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of accidents/emergency. When you have finished cooking with your barbecue, always extinguish the coals using water.

Self-heating pads

Self-heating pads for cooking or warming food are a convenient, flame-free solution ideal for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, catering, and travel.

Flameless self-heating food pads do not emit carbon monoxide (CO) because they do not involve combustion. Instead, they rely on chemicals and water to create an exothermic reaction, typically involving magnesium, iron, salt, and water, to heat pre-cooked meals.

If you use them indoors, please note that Carbon Monoxide alarms may triggered due to gases or vapours released during the heating process. It is important to only use in a well-ventilated area.

 Safety checklist

• Follow manufacturer instructions for water activation and pad placement.
• Use in a well-ventilated area (avoid small, enclosed space), ideally outdoors.
• Avoid placing near smoke or CO detectors to prevent false alarms.
• Handle the heating pack carefully, it can reach up to 150°C.
• Keep children and pets away from the heating area.
• Keep away from face and eyes when adding water to avoid steam burns.
• Use on a stable, heat-resistant surface; avoid enclosed spaces.
• Do not overfill with water · follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep children and pets away during heating process.
• Dispose of heating pack only after it has cooled completely.
• Do not puncture or discard heating pack while hot.
• Purchase from reputable brands to avoid low-quality heating agents.