COOKING on the barbecue could cause an accidental fire, warned the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
It has joined the National Fire Chiefs Council’s cooking safety campaign, urging residents to take extra care in the warm weather.
Ian Barks, central hub prevention manager, said half of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen.
This, he said, is often because people get distracted by their phone, TV from interactions with friends and family.
“Whatever happens elsewhere in your home, please always make sure you look while you cook and keep one eye on the hob at all times,” he said.
“We also know that you might be starting to spend more time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather.
“While having a barbecue is a great way to spend time with friends and family, we want to remind you that a barbecue could start a fire if not handled correctly.
“By following our advice and taking the appropriate preventative measures both indoors and outdoors, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of an incident happening.”
The fire service is encouraging people to keep tea towels, cloths and loose clothes away from the barbecue.
It also suggests keeping handles out of reach of children.
It said barbecues should be kept away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs and garden waste. And only empty the cooking ashes onto bare soil. It warned using a dustbin could cause the plastic to melt and start a fire.
Disposable barbecues can be doused in water before being thrown in the bin.