BBQ safety is a concern expressed by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). More than 200 children needed hospital treatment last year for barbecue-related burns. Experts at StemProtect.co.uk share how parents can keep children safe during BBQ season.
BBQ safety for children
- Keep children at a safe distance. This may seem obvious, but children are curious and can quickly get too close before you realise. Set up a safe play zone away from cooking areas and encourage children to stay by placing their favourite toys there.
- Keep the BBQ on a flat, stable surface. BBQs are often a last-minute decision, and that sometimes means pulling out an old table or an unloved chair to balance a smaller grill on. If that’s the case, always make sure any surface you use is stable and flat to prevent the hot BBQ falling.
- Consider children’s clothing. Summer clothes are often light, floaty, and easy to wear. However, these can easily catch on surfaces, leading to trips and falls. Consider opting for closer-fitting pieces for the day to avoid this happening.
- Be mindful of smoke. Where there’s a BBQ, there will be smoke also, but for little ones this can trigger any respiratory conditions like asthma. Consider which way the wind is blowing when setting up your BBQ and try to keep it at a good distance from your party.
- Watch out for sharp edges. Corn cobs on holders and skewers are both favourites for the BBQ, but each comes with sharp utensils. Make sure to de-skewer any food where needed or watch closely for little ones who may be using anything sharp.
- Encourage children to wash their hands before eating outdoors. Playing outdoors is great for children’s development, but our gardens are a hotbed of bacteria and germs. Encouraging hand washing before eating is great practice anyway, but it’s even more important in alfresco settings.
- Keep alcohol and coolers out of reach. Young children are naturally curious and don’t understand the difference between alcohol and other soft drinks. Make sure any open alcohol, whether in a glass or cooler, is out of reach of the little ones.
- Store sharp knives immediately after preparing food. BBQs require a lot of prep, and things can get messy quickly. However, it’s essential to put away any sharp knives as soon as you’re finished with them.
- Provide shaded seating for babies and toddlers. Sun safety should always be taken seriously, and at BBQs that’s no different. Keep SPF on hand and ensure there is shade available, especially for very young children.
Mark Hall, child health expert at StemProtect.co.uk comments:
“BBQs are great fun, but it’s easy to get distracted when the sun is out, and alcohol is consumed. Children are naturally inquisitive, which combined with hot grills and sharp tools, creates the perfect environment for accidents to happen.
“Many of the typical injuries seen at BBQs can be easily avoided with some simple preparation and consideration. One of the most important factors is trying not to juggle everything yourself. Ensure one person keeps an eye on any children, while another tends to the cooking. BBQs should be fun memories of spending time with your family and friends, but they do present unique risks.”