Grill properly
Every year in Switzerland, around 400 accidents occur when barbecuing at home and 500 accidents when barbecuing away from home. The 900 barbecue accidents cost insurers around 3 million francs a year. Three quarters of the victims are men. Burns, insect and tick bites, and superficial wounds are the most common types of injury. A few safety precautions can reduce the risk of injury.
Obviously, barbecuing appeals more to the male part of our society. Only 24 percent of the 900 people injured in barbecue accidents are women. The statistics also show that it is mainly younger men who are injured when using fire outdoors. Those over 40, on the other hand, are more likely to be injured while grilling at home. Most barbecue accidents occur between April and September.
Hands off the fire
Not surprisingly, burns are statistically the most common type of injury. Approximately 60 percent of all burns occur during Barbecue at home from. The hands are most affected, followed by burns to the head, arms and legs. Improper handling of a grill poses a particularly high risk of injury. To prevent injuries, it is best to position the grill on a stable, fireproof surface. The grill must be at least one meter away from combustible materials (e.g. garden furniture, cushions, plastic plates, balcony railings, etc.). The barbecue should be located outdoors or on the balcony. Silvan Aschwanden, safety expert at Suva recommends, "A barbecue should be placed in a place protected from the wind so that the smoke can escape safely." Never barbecue in poorly ventilated or even closed rooms! Children and animals near the grill must always be supervised. When using a gas barbecue, the greatest risk of injury is from gas leaks when changing cylinders and from defective or incorrect hoses that do not fit Swiss gas cylinders. When using a charcoal grill, the improper use of liquid ignition aids is the main concern. The best way is to use ignition cubes, recommends Aschwanden. Anyone grilling is responsible for the safety of everyone present and stays with the grill, or hands over the "grill watch" to another adult.
Insects and ticks provide fiery moments
When firing away from home, casualties burn themselves about as much as they are unexpectedly burned by Ticks or insects or otherwise injure themselves superficially. It is therefore worthwhile to wear clothing that covers the body as much as possible and closed shoes. So that the small unwanted little animals away, it is advisable to apply insect spray before going out to "barbecue". To prevent cuts, knives and other dangerous grilling tools are best carried separately and protected from stings.
Do not waste the most beautiful moments
To ensure that cozy barbecue evenings are remembered fondly, "putting out the fire" is also part of "making the fire". Whether it is an outdoor fire or a fire at home, with wood, coal or gas: At the end, the source of the fire must be carefully extinguished or put out. With a Gas grill it is important to check whether the gas supply is completely turned off and, when firing outside, the glowing coal or the burnt wood has cooled down to the last piece.
The gas bottle at the gas grill should also always be stored upright and outside. Never store gas bottles in unventilated rooms or in the basement so that unnoticed escaping gas cannot accumulate and possibly ignite.
Text: Suva
More information on the topic:
- "Grill Check"
- Barbecuing - Safe with coal and gas (bfu)
- Safety tips "grill safely" (BFB)
- Safe with gas, LPG working group
