Commissioner Urges BBQ Enthusiasts to Check Equipment

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe has called for barbecue enthusiasts to check their equipment before firing up this season.

Everyone loves a good barbecue but, according to Yahoo! News, LPG cylinders and attached equipment can be deadly if any gas is leaking. Stowe urged barbecue owners to check for appropriate approval marks, as well as wear and tear. He also warned of overloading barbecues and suggested that you avoid placing outdoor gas cookers on dry grass, which can easily catch alight. The Commissioner's request came as an attempt to reduce the number of patio fires seen across NSW. He says the treat of barbecue fires is all too real and should be taken seriously. He strongly recommended that you never use a barbecue indoors, and against placing barbecues in confined spaces or too close to pools and spas. He also cautioned that explosions can arise from leaving cylinders in closed vehicles during hot weather, which would not only leave you unable to cook but also without transportation.