Bring out the Barbecue

What image does that conjure up? Lazy days, full of sunshine and laughter? Good food and good fun? Your local doctor might have a different image, one of serious burns and nasty food poisoning incidents. There are now roughly 1000 BBQ accidents a year in this country that result in hospital treatment  - an increase of 54% over the last five years. Though not always fatal these accidents can be sufficient to spoil your weekend.

A lot of barbecue accidents occur during lighting when people try to speed up the process by using flammable liquids such as paraffin or petrol. This can cause the coals to burst into flames, often resulting in severe burns to the face and neck. The fuel container may also ignite due to a flashback of the flames, leading to some very painful injuries.

However it is not just during lighting that care is needed. Anytime there is a combination of ingredients such as an open flame, young adults, children, pets and alcohol you have the recipe for an accident. Not only that, 25 people a year are killed by the carbon monoxide given off by BBQs which have been lit in areas with insufficient ventilation.

BBQs can be great fun, but unfortunately bugs of all types want to join in.  Although the insect variety can be a nuisance it is the microscopic type that we must be wary of.

Gardens don’t tend to be as clean as our kitchens and with no worktops, food tends to be put down wherever there is a space - often raw beside cooked and or items that are ready to eat. Also when there is a crowd enthusiastically shouting for more burgers they can sometimes be cooked a little too quickly or perhaps the prepared ones are left lying in the sun until the rest are ready - all ways of giving bugs such as Salmonella and E. Coli the chance to multiply.

Follow these Simple Steps to Safety however to ensure that there are only pleasant memories of your feast.

• never use flammable liquids to start the  BBQ
• keep children and pets well away
• never leave a BBQ unattended
• never be tempted to move into the garage  because of rain
• make sure food is thoroughly cooked.
• either eat food as soon as it is ready or put it in the refrigerator, don't leave it lying around
• keep the raw burgers and sausages away from the  food that you have just cooked

Remember, BBQs and booze can lead to burns and bugs – take it easy if you are in charge of the cooking.