If you smell gas, have low gas pressure, no gas supply or suspect carbon monoxide, call 0800 111 999 at any time of the day or night. Find out more about what to do in a gas emergency or if you suspect carbon monoxide.

Customer Care Team
0800 040 7766 (Option 4)

customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Connections Team
0800 040 7766 (Option 2)

gasconnections@northerngas.co.uk

Stakeholder Relations Team

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Smell Gas?
0800 111 999
Day or night
Non-emergency calls
Customer Care Team
0800 040 7766

Essential guide to BBQ safety

Close up of a stainless steel gas BBQ in a garden ready for use. Garden is lit up with a string of lights.How to keep your BBQ fun, delicious and risk-free.

With the potential for warmer summer days heading our way, there’s no better time to gather friends and family for a BBQ.

While firing up the grill is a brilliant way to enjoy the great outdoors, it’s vital to keep safety at the forefront – especially when it comes to the invisible threat of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

Why BBQ Safety Matters

Every year, BBQs can cause incidents that could easily be avoided by following some simple guidelines.

CO is a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal, and BBQs can continue to emit it even after they’ve cooled down.

That’s why Northern Gas Networks is urging everyone to only BBQ in open, well-ventilated spaces and to be aware of the risks.

BBQ safety checklist

  • Always BBQ outdoors in an open space – never indoors or in enclosed areas like tents or awnings.
  • Keep your BBQ in a well-ventilated spot, even after you’ve finished cooking, as they can give off CO when extinguished and cold.
  • If you’re using a gas BBQ for the first time this season, check all equipment thoroughly. Ensure hoses are secure and undamaged.
  • Only use and change gas canisters outdoors. Make sure the supply is turned off properly before changing canisters and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Keep BBQs well away from tents, sleeping areas, and anything flammable.

Recognising Carbon Monoxide poisoning

CO poisoning can happen quickly and the symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses. That’s why it’s important to be alert for:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Breathlessness
  • Dizziness
  • Collapsing
  • Loss of consciousness

Know what to do if you suspect CO poisoning from your BBQ or outdoor cooking device.

It’s important to act quickly.

  1. Evacuate everyone from the area and move into the fresh air. (If it’s a gas-fired BBQ, switch it off).
  2. Seek urgent medical attention, even if symptoms seem mild.
  3. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 for expert advice – they’re available 24/7, every day of the year.

Tips for a happy and safe BBQ

  • Check your BBQ and gas equipment regularly, especially at the start of the season.
  • Supervise children and pets around the BBQ at all times.
  • Never leave a lit BBQ unattended.
  • Dispose of ashes and coals safely, ensuring they are fully cooled and kept away from combustible materials. Don’t not store away your BBQ until it is fully cooled.

By following these vital BBQ safety tips, you can ensure your gatherings are memorable for all the right reasons.

Check out our Carbon Monoxide advice to ensure you know what to do.

Let’s keep our Bank Holidays, weekends, and summer celebrations safe and enjoyable for everyone!