Caution over summer barbecues

Published: 12:35PM Tuesday December 30, 2008 Source: NZPA

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Holidaymakers are being urged to be careful with barbecues over the summer holidays.

The Fire Service says it attends an increased number of incidents relating to the misuse of barbecues, often with disastrous results, at this time of the year.

"Serious burns and property loss are often the result when barbecue cooking goes bad," senior fire safety officer Mike McEnaney says.

People should check gas bottles and connections before use and keep an eye on what was cooking, and "don't drink and fry".

McEnaney also says caravans and boats, popular for summer entertaining, can be death traps if simple safety tips are not followed.

He says people in caravans have to be even more safety conscious than they are at home because the risk of a small fire turning into something serious is far greater.

Fire alarms should be fitted and proper lighting used, not candles.

McEnaney says boaties should be prepared in case of a fire on board, with firefighting equipment maintained and easily accessible.

"The only burn the Fire Service wants to hear about this summer is sunburn."

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