It’s Barbecue Weather But Be Careful!

At last we have some fantastic sunny weather to enjoy. If you’re about to enjoy a sizzling barbecue though, washed down with a few drinks, be careful you don’t end up causing major fire damage to your home as you try and cook whilst drunk.

According to MORE TH>N Home Insurance, whilst a barbecue and drinks in the side may sound a perfect combination, it can also be a recipe for disaster as Brits have caused a staggering £617 million of fire damage to their properties after barbecuing drunk.

Some 25% of Brits will be drunk every time they take charge of the charcoal.

The worry is that the garden is full of flammable items – including gazebos, wooden furniture, sheds and trees.

Drunk Brits have been responsible for the fire damage of nearly 1.5 million gardens, resulting in home insurance claims. The fires have largely been as a result of lighting the barbecue near these flammable items or simply by knocking over the barbecue and scattering the white-hot coals.

With the action-packed summer of 2012 fast upon us, inebriated infernos are predicted to reach new heights – millions of Brits are already planning boozy barbecue parties to coincide with the UEFA European Football Championships, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

We all know the males in the household take on the role of ‘Head Barbecue Chef’ and so it is perhaps not surprising that the worst offenders of drunkenly grilling in the garden are men.

Thats said, when the girls do get behind the barbecue they really can cause some damage, with women causing an average of £525 worth of drunken property damage compared to £383 for men.

So with the help of  MORE TH>N Home Insurance here are some top tips on how to avoid drunken bedlam when barbecuing:

1.    Never use the barbecue when drunk – even if you avoid setting the garden on fire there’s a good chance your impaired judgement will result in undercooked (or badly overcooked) food that is unsafe to eat, or you could easily give yourself a nasty burn.

2.    Ensure the barbecue is positioned well away from inflammable wooden items such as the shed, garden fence or trees.

3.   Use firelighters and coals – don’t use petrol!

4.    If using a disposable barbecue make sure it’s placed on a non-flammable surface and make sure it’s completely extinguished before disposed of.

5.    Never leave the barbecue unattended while it is in use.

Janet Connor, Managing Director, MORE TH>N, commented: “With this summer offering more barbecue and booze opportunities than ever before, we are urging Brits to be more responsible when in charge of the grill.

“After all, just a few small acts of mindfulness will go a long way to ensuring it’s only the sausages, and not the shed, that gets sizzled this summer.”

MoneyHighStreet comments: “Clearly there is really something special about a good barbecue, a fabulous social occasion with friends and family and a great way to enjoy the sun – when the UK weather plays ball!

“Take onboard the tips above and you’re more likely to have a disaster free time!

“And by the way, look after your pets too – don’t leave a plate of uncooked sausages or chicken around for them to find, otherwise you can find yourself with an unwell dog too!”