Anyone intending to dust off an old barbecue this year has been advised to carry out essential safety checks first. London Fire Brigade has cautioned people to always examine the state of last year’s barbecue before firing it up.
The fire and rescue service is urging people to exercise caution when using a barbecue to prevent it from spiralling out of control. The service revealed that between 2020 and 2025, the sharpest rise in barbecue fires happened in April and May, with crews attending 127 barbecue-related incidents during those months across the five-year period.
London Fire Brigade said people should never use paraffin, petrol or lighter fluid on their barbecues, and recommended shop-bought firelighters as a safer alternative. The fire safety specialists cautioned that using accelerants could quickly result in an uncontrollable blaze.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field, said: “As the weather improves and we say goodbye to the gloomy weather, there’s nothing better than having a barbecue to celebrate the returning sunshine. And while we want you to have a good time, we also want you to stay safe. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to stop a fire from ruining your barbecue.
“If you’re using an old barbecue, check that it’s still in good condition. If you suspect that the barbecue might be damaged or faulty, don’t use it and call a specialist for advice. It’s also vital that you place them on level ground, away from things like sheds, fences or trees and out of the reach of children and pets.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Field continued: “We know that space is at a premium for many in the capital, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore certain risks. Using a barbecue on a balcony could risk setting your building on fire or spreading embers across a wide area.
“Please also think twice before barbecuing in parks and public spaces – in many parks it is prohibited and you could be fined for doing so. Disposable barbecues that have been discarded and not properly put out, pose a fire risk for many hours. Hot coals continue to smoulder long after the flames die down, and risk causing dangerous grass fires.”
The warning comes as many families look forward to barbecue weather. The Met Office forecast says the UK will see sunny spells over the bank holiday weekend. It states: “Warm and humid on Friday, with sunny spells and a few heavy showers or thunderstorms. Sunny spells and showers Saturday and Sunday, some heavy and thundery. Turning a little cooler.”
Thankfully, the experts shared firefighters’ top tips for enjoying a barbecue safely.
Be careful where you position your barbecue – the experts suggest level ground, well away from anything flammable like sheds, fences, trees, or tents and not on any decking
Do not use petrol, paraffin, or any flammable liquids on your barbecue
Never leave a barbecue unattended, even for a few minutes
Always extinguish a barbecue properly after you have finished using them – especially disposable ones, which can smoulder for hours after the flames have been extinguished.
If you’re using a gas barbecue, change the gas cylinder outdoors and make sure you turn off all controls and valves prior to doing so