Page 5 | AIBU to think heatwave barbecue reactions are starting to feel a bit Covid?

dontmalbeconme · 15/08/2026 17:07

BakewellGin1 · 15/08/2026 16:45

Would you be questioning this if like some families and farmers you had lost your home, belongings or livelihood?

You are being asked to take minor precautions to prevent fires breaking out whilst the ground is so dry.

Honestly the entitlement of some people never fails to amaze me.

But no-one, literally no-one is saying they will continue to use disposable barbeques or partake in any high fire risk activity.

We're just saying we will continue to use, taking all sensible precautions, our entirely legal to use, low fire risk, garden BBQs.

There is not a ban on barbeques or cooking outside. There is a ban on disposable barbeques because, unlike responsibly used garden barbeques, they pose a high fire risk due to their low to the ground design and their disposable nature.

Friendlygingercat · 15/08/2026 17:00

Lots of virtue signalling going on in this thread.

Askingforafriendtoday · 15/08/2026 16:56

PatioDwellers · 15/08/2026 08:53

To think the bbq/fires in the heatwave responses have the air of Covid about them …

’my neighbour is having a bbq what should I do’, Ring 101, call the fire brigade, take photos, people will die!

tinfoil bbqs in the countryside, tossers and rightly banned.

Covid was devastating.. wildfires are devastating. Grow up

sparrowhawkhere · 15/08/2026 16:54

You obviously don’t live in an area with weeks of smoke, can’t open windows, sit out in your garden etc

Rpop · 15/08/2026 16:46

BlueMum16 · 15/08/2026 15:17

Me too -safety professional that is.

I can read the government alert and can comply
I am qualified and competent to risk assess so will be BBQing tonight on my brick built BBQ in my garden. Either me or DH or another family member will be present at all times. It is likely to be alight from 4pm so will have gone out fully by about 7pm. We'll move the coals and spray with water before going indoors if there are any burning (unlikely) and do everything reasonably practicable to ensure no further risk when we are not present.

Is this a penis measuring contest too? I don't have one so will lose 🤣

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Let’s hope you don’t have one single stray ember that gets wafted up before you can do anything about it.

I assume you don’t live in area with dry grass and brittle plants.

Friendlygingercat · 15/08/2026 16:46

There is a world of difference between BBQing with proper equipment on a flagged patio or concrete drive and using a disposable on grass in a field. People with a custom BBQ in their own home are likely to take adequate care to douse it at the end of the event as they don't want to set their home alight.

BakewellGin1 · 15/08/2026 16:45

Would you be questioning this if like some families and farmers you had lost your home, belongings or livelihood?

You are being asked to take minor precautions to prevent fires breaking out whilst the ground is so dry.

Honestly the entitlement of some people never fails to amaze me.

catlover123456789 · 15/08/2026 16:33

I was sitting outside last night thinking it would be nice to light a candle. And then I thought, probably best not to. No big deal really is it.
What DOES worry me is wildlife is suffering, trees are dying, I expect food prices will go up again, and when I got the alert yesterday my first thought was a nearby wildfire.

BlackRowan · 15/08/2026 16:22

chocoluv · 15/08/2026 10:37

Where did you get this information?

As from what I’ve read, all of the wildfires in the UK this year (or vast majority) have been from bbqs, cigarettes, campfires, fireworks etc

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It is general, not about the UK. What is your source though?

BurntBroccoli · 15/08/2026 16:11

Satisfiedwithanapple · 15/08/2026 16:05

But just one spark flying out of the window …!

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From what?

Satisfiedwithanapple · 15/08/2026 16:05

BurntBroccoli · 15/08/2026 16:02

I’m fine thanks. No BBQs here.

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But just one spark flying out of the window …!

BurntBroccoli · 15/08/2026 16:02

Satisfiedwithanapple · 15/08/2026 15:59

You need to be more careful, burnt broccoli could cause a fire

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I’m fine thanks. No BBQs here.

Satisfiedwithanapple · 15/08/2026 16:02

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/08/2026 15:55

The problem is that the guidance is not aimed at sensible, cautious people like you, @Paul2023 - it is aimed at the brain dead idiots who light disposable barbecues on bone dry grass, or who send up Chinese lanterns. They are trying to talk to the lowest common denominator, and that’s not you.

Well this is it. You’d have to be brain dead to spark up a disposable bbq.

Satisfiedwithanapple · 15/08/2026 15:59

BurntBroccoli · 15/08/2026 15:55

You may be responsible, but a lot of people simply aren’t. People are usually drinking alcohol when they have BBQs too.

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You need to be more careful, burnt broccoli could cause a fire

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/08/2026 15:55

The problem is that the guidance is not aimed at sensible, cautious people like you, @Paul2023 - it is aimed at the brain dead idiots who light disposable barbecues on bone dry grass, or who send up Chinese lanterns. They are trying to talk to the lowest common denominator, and that’s not you.

BurntBroccoli · 15/08/2026 15:55

Paul2023 · 15/08/2026 15:38

Firstly I’m a responsible adult , not an idiot. The bbq will be monitored the entire time , with a bucket of water next to me.

I won’t be drinking or be drunk. It won’t be left for a second unattended.

There is practically zero risk of a fire from my end. I don’t have grass in my garden either.

You may be responsible, but a lot of people simply aren’t. People are usually drinking alcohol when they have BBQs too.

Paul2023 · 15/08/2026 15:38

Firstly I’m a responsible adult , not an idiot. The bbq will be monitored the entire time , with a bucket of water next to me.

I won’t be drinking or be drunk. It won’t be left for a second unattended.

There is practically zero risk of a fire from my end. I don’t have grass in my garden either.

Paul2023 · 15/08/2026 15:33

The sale of disposable ones have been banned since yesterday- until
the weather changes. I can’t see where it’s illegal currently, to have a bbq in your garden.

So I’m doing just this tomorrow.

fryfryfry · 15/08/2026 15:31

We’re hashing a barbecue this evening. It’s not disposable. They’re not banned.

dontmalbeconme · 15/08/2026 15:29

MiGrayn · 15/08/2026 15:27

What an extreme response.

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It's just a flounce of someone embarrassed because they've been proved wrong after constantly doubling down on their nonsensical views.

MiGrayn · 15/08/2026 15:29

My lovely respectful and decent neighbours are having some kind of party with a bbq right now. Normal free standing bbq in a London semi. The idea that I would call 999 and report them is just baffling to me.

Paul2023 · 15/08/2026 15:28

It’s because of idiots who leave disposable bbq’s in parks and beaches. No one is there to watch them once they are left, that’s how fires can start.

As far as I’m aware you can still have a normal bbq in your garden- I’m having a long arranged one tomorrow.

MiGrayn · 15/08/2026 15:27

HJC88 · 15/08/2026 14:40

I can't be arsed, burn your house down.

What an extreme response.

Mrcollinswave · 15/08/2026 15:25

There's some sort of event happening right now at my local canoe club, and they are having a charcoal BBQ despite being surrounded by trees ...there's going to be a lot of disapproval later on the local facebook gossip pages!!

AgileMentor · 15/08/2026 15:21

Juneclaire · 15/08/2026 09:02

Will smokers who toss fag ends get the message?

Pour water on mine now or stomp them out when I’m finished thanks ☺️