Basic BBQ mistake that could land you with a whopping £500 fine – and how to avoid it
A SIMPLE yet little-known BBQ mistake could slap you with a whopping £500 fine.
Brits looking for a sunny BBQ session with mates this summer could fork out hundreds of pounds in penalty if they are not careful.
Each year around 240 accidental fires are caused by barbecues each year in England alone, Romford Record reports.
To prevent such unfortunate accidents, woodburning and BBQ fire laws specific to different areas are in place.
There aren’t any rules against lighting a BBQ or bonfire, but you might get caught out if they are deemed to be causing a nuisance.
This might be if they are considered a pollution or health hazard to others, such as your neighbours.
A scenario where this might be the case is if smoke is going across a road or if you are having a BBQ every night.
Fines of this type are enforced by the local governing bodies.
Councils in the UK have what they call BBQ bylaws that detail the regulations around BBQ fires.
According to the rulebook issued by the Islington council, having a BBQ session in public causing “nuisance” could land you in the magistrates court along with a hefty fine.
Councils may have designated areas for each locality where locals could go and set up their BBQ sessions.
Engaging in BBQ activities outside these designated areas could be in breach of the laws – and you could be fined for it.
Other rules include wrapping up your BBQ by 9pm to avoid disturbing locals late at night.
People found breaching such laws could slapped with a level two fine worth £500.
They can also be asked to vacate the area.
At first instance, an authorised council officer may ask you to stop BBQ activity before actually issuing you with a fine.
It is always best to check the local council’s website to find the relevant laws and avoid getting penalised.
It comes after a property expert revealed four BBQ blunders that anyone can make and get slapped with fines worth thousands.
Kelly Whittington, property claims director at Aviva, told The Sun: “Barbecues and fire pits are popular features in millions of UK gardens, and they can be a brilliant addition to social events.
“But they also come with risks, and if not watched carefully, they can quickly get out of hand with potentially disastrous consequences.”
The four BBQ mistakes you must avoid
Leaving barbecues unattended – £6,000
BBQs often come out for social gatherings and family events where it can be easy to get distracted.
But leaving one unattended even for just a few seconds can cause a fire to quickly grow out of control.
Research by Aviva found the average cost of claims where unattended BBQs lead to fires is between £2,000 to £6,000.
So if you aren’t covered by home insurance, it could see you having to fork out thousands of pounds.
Storing your BBQ wrong – from £40 to £100s
It might be tempting to leave your BBQ outside, but that might prove tempting to thieves.
Again, if you weren’t covered by insurance, this would mean having to fork out for the cost of the BBQ.
Instead, it is worth storing it in a garage or somewhere else safe and secure, like a shed that’s padlocked.
Some policies only cover you if you can prove you locked a garden item away too.
Know the rules – £5,000
If you are found creating a nuisance in public while BBQing, you could be fined up to £5,000.
Fines of this type are enforced by the council.
Kelly said: “It’s worth knowing that neighbours can report you if they think your fires are causing a nuisance – which could lead to a fine of up to £5,000.”
To avoid landing yourself in this situation, Kelly suggested maintaining an open dialogue.
She said: “You might want to tell your neighbour about any BBQ, in case they’ve put their washing out.
“And be mindful about not placing the BBQ near to any fences or trees.
“We have seen claims where people have set fire to trees and fences in their neighbours’ garden.”
Dispose of waste carefully – £40
It might not be the funnest part of a BBQ, but disposing of any coals or ashes in the right way could save you a few pounds.
If you put them in the bin before they have cooled down, you might end up setting it on fire.
Not only will this mean having to replace the bin, but it could lead to far greater consequences.