‘Disaster waiting to happen’

Country Fire Authority is urging people to check that their barbecues are still in good working order in preparation for the upcoming fire season.

CFA District 17 commander Lindsay Barry said it was vital people check their barbecue gas cylinders, hoses and connections to avoid a ‘disaster waiting to happen’.

“The things to look out for are loose connections and hoses that have visibly deteriorated or cylinders that look damaged – these can lead to fires or explosions with consequences ranging from a nasty shock to serious injury or even death,” he said.

Mr Barry encouraged people to frequently check their barbecues, which he described as a quick and simple process.

“You can check the hose and regulator connections are safe by spraying them with soapy water. Bubbles will form if gas is escaping,” he said.

“If you’ve got any doubts about the connections, turn off the gas and replace the connection or contact a licensed gasfitter.

“We see a lot of these kinds of fires that could have been avoided if a little more care was taken. By taking a bit more time to maintain barbecues, people can reduce an unnecessary callout for our volunteer fire fighters.”

CFA has also advised residents to avoid using gas barbecues on very windy days to reduce risk that burners blow out and produce a gas leak.

Barbecue safety tips: • Check the LP gas cylinder before you turn it on to make sure it’s not visibly damaged. • Check the connections to make sure they are tight and that the O-rings are in good condition. • If a fire occurs, do not try to extinguish the flames unless you are sure it is safe. Call 000 and turn off the gas at the meter or cylinder if you can.