Temporary ban on sale of disposable BBQs over wildfire risk

The UK government has implemented a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, citing them as a significant risk to public safety amid the ongoing drought and heatwave conditions. Advice published online indicates that these products have been responsible for a number of serious wildfires across the country during the summer months.

“

Britain is a tinderbox right now.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade stated that disposable barbecues cannot be considered safe in the current climate and must not be sold, either in stores or online, in Great Britain at this time. Prime Minister Andy Burnham advised the public to exercise caution, describing Britain as a "tinderbox right now."

“

We've got 37 fires across England and Wales right now, four of them are major incidents.

Burnham informed the BBC that all retailers will receive guidance regarding this change, which will be subject to ongoing review. He noted that while not all 37 fires currently active across England and Wales are linked to disposable barbecues, it is probable that some have been caused in this manner. "We're going into a difficult weekend, please just think about the situation that we're in," he urged.

“

We're going into a difficult weekend, please just think about the situation that we're in.

He stressed the danger of outdoor fires, stating, "Setting a fire in any outdoor setting of any kind is a risk to other people's homes, it's a risk to other people's lives, don't do it, please don't do it." The ban aims to mitigate the risk of further wildfires during this critical period.

“

Setting a fire in any outdoor setting of any kind is a risk to other people's homes, it's a risk to other people's lives, don't do it, please don't do it.