I’m blazing mad about toxic BBQs
BARBECUES may be fine in Australia, but here they are a dreadful nuisance. Instead of being able to sit outside in the fresh air, we are driven indoors by the stinking, greasy smoke coming from neighbouring gardens.
I live in a smokeless zone, dating back at least to the 1970s, where domestic coal fires and bonfires are prohibited, yet we suffer pollution from nasty, cheap, charcoal barbecues. Please do your bit for climate change and neighbourly relations: don’t have an anti-social barbecue.
It’s far better to cook indoors and have a picnic in the garden.
JUDITH HOWARD, London SW11. I AGREE with Ross Clark that disposable barbecues should be banned to protect the environment and prevent horrific injuries (Mail). On July 18, Birmingham’s glorious Lickey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty, was ravaged by a fire caused by the irresponsible use of a disposable barbecue.
Billowing smoke could be seen for miles and local residents were evacuated. Woodland that had taken decades to reach maturity was destroyed. Common sense dictates that in extreme temperatures and sweltering conditions, with the ground tinder dry and highly combustible, barbecues are a no no.
PETER HENRICK, Birmingham. MOST European countries provide stainless steel basket containers for disposable barbecues in parks as well as arrangements for safe disposal. So why can’t we?
KARL EDWARDS, Argyll. DISPOSABLE barbecues are a danger to wildlife and pets when left in undergrowth, along riverbanks and on beaches.
They should be banned — along with fireworks being sold all year round. As well as the noise, mess and stress caused to pets, it amazes me people can afford to let their money go up in smoke for a few minutes of pleasure.
JANE RIDGEWAY, Maidenhead, Berks. AS WELL as banning disposable barbecues, get rid of environmentally unfriendly firepits, patio heaters and Chinese sky lanterns.