Danger! Barbecue chef at work

It can take just a glimpse of sunshine to get many of us to break out our barbecue sets from their place of hibernation. But before you start digging out your trusty old grill it's worth remembering that although many of us love the idea of cooking al fresco, it may not be something that comes naturally to all of us.

Whilst In our heads we perhaps see ourselves effortlessly grilling delicious meats over aromatic coals and laughing with friends over a glass of something cold and delicious, in reality we can end up with a serving of burnt sausages and some wilted lettuce on the side. 

But actually, the quality of the food on offer should be the least of our worries. Hot things manned by people drinking alcohol can be a lethal combination, leading to serious injuries or even fires that can threaten your home.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), an estimated 1,800 people in the UK visit A&E each year having had an accident involving a barbecue, with the numbers increasing if it's a particularly hot summer.

So how can you make sure your barbecue's remembered for all the right reasons? There are a number of straightforward rules that can help prevent a barbecue turning into a health hazard.

As the vast majority of barbecue accidents happen in a home setting, make sure your buildings and contents insurance is up-to-date. Check that your policy will provide protection for your home and garden against fire or accidental damage. When obtaining home insurance quotes, make sure there are adequate levels for both indoors and outside.

But while your home insurance policy can cover you should you set fire to next door's fence, it's important always to barbecue with due care and attention.

Common sense rules to remember include never leaving a barbecue unattended and making sure it's well away from anything that could catch on fire such as trees or sheds. And don't pile it up with charcoal - just put on enough to cover the base.

Never attempt to grill outdoors on windy days and even when it's calm, your barbie should be on a firm base and in a sheltered location in case of sudden gusts.

Children may be excited and want to get involved, so you may need to think of games to play a safe distance away from the cooking area.

Before you start looking for your favourite tongs, prepare a bucket with water or sand to keep nearby in case of emergencies. Using something like petrol to get the flames going can be extremely dangerous so get organised early on - that way, your grill will have time to reach the optimum cooking temperature without you reaching for the white spirit.

Even when you've finished cooking, your barbecue may take a while to cool, so stay well away. Ashes should be emptied onto garden soil and not into dustbins.

So keep those simple rules in mind and all you'll have to do is enjoy yourself.

Issued by Sainsbury's Finance

Sainsbury's Finance is a trading name of Sainsbury's Bank plc. All information correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change. Any views or opinions expressed in this article are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any part of the Sainsbury's Group of companies.

Sainsbury's Finance is a financial services provider engaged in savings accounts, credit cards, and personal loans.  It also supplies insurance services in car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, pet insurance and travel insurance as well as being a provider of travel money services.

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