I thought we agreed BBQs were a bad idea.

People have been told not to report neighbours for having bbqs as the emergency services have been inundated by nosy idiots calling 999

Not sure legally as I said just idly wondering. My argument was if the house caught alight I don't think you'd have much choice but to contact your insurance.

I think there would be a case for reckless behaviour even if it wasn't a disposable BBQ given how dry everything is at present due to the lack of rain. They could hardly argue they hadn't noticed especially with the alert we all received.

I thought it was the disposable bbq's?

How many wild fires have been caused by a bbq in a garden I wonder?

Agree. We don't need to be told everything we should or should not do. There is a risk, however small, and we've seen the consequences when it does go wrong. Cooking outside isn't such an important life event that you need to do it in the current situation. Just don't do it and then there is no risk.

I don't see the OP saying they are banned. I just see her sensibly saying a BBQ in this weather is a bad idea. Can't see why that's such an unreasonable statement.

Certain MNers are always keen to tell you a dishwasher or washing machine shouldn’t be left unattended overnight or whilst out because they can cause fires. Are they also included in your ban?

So can any type of cooking if you don't use common sense or you get something wrong.

Perhaps we should all stop bothering to cook because it might cause a fire.

I have a gas barbie which is on the concrete patio. It would be pretty safe as it is well away from dry grass, vegetation or the wooden sheds and fence. The main reason I am not using it at the moment is because of the extreme heat we have been having, meaning that I don't want it making me even hotter and I can't be arsed with it.

Disposable barbies were the ones specifically mentioned in the alert. They are the biggest danger because people tend to put them down directly on the tinder dry grass and then leave them/not douse them properly. That makes total sense and I believe they have been withdrawn from sale.

It was for any activity that might start a fire, disposable barbecues included, but not only disposables.

I’m fairly sure that using a gas hob indoors is safer than using a charcoal BBQ surrounded by parched lawn at the moment. As I said, it’s about common sense.

A bbq is fine!
A disposable one on the grass is not.

The alert said ‘including disposable bbqs’
It said any activity that could start a fire, which any type of bbq can do

I’m fairly sure that using a gas hob indoors is safer than using a charcoal BBQ surrounded by parched lawn at the moment. As I said, it’s about common sense.

Why are so many people saying that only disposable BBQs are banned and that it’s ok to use other things? The alert clearly says not to do anything that could cause a fire. It says “including” disposable BBQs. It doesn’t say other BBQs are fine and to go ahead.

The alert said

“Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.”

Do we really need the government to tell us what should be common sense?

If there’s loads of smoke, it suggests a charcoal bbq (from reading, gas BBQs aren’t so much of a risk, assuming sensible precautions are taken).

As a society, why are so many incapable of using common sense?

Why are so many people saying that only disposable BBQs are banned and that it’s ok to use other things? The alert clearly says not to do anything that could cause a fire. It says “including” disposable BBQs. It doesn’t say other BBQs are fine and to go ahead.

The alert said

“Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.”

Do we really need the government to tell us what should be common sense?

If there’s loads of smoke, it suggests a charcoal bbq (from reading, gas BBQs aren’t so much of a risk, assuming sensible precautions are taken).

As a society, why are so many incapable of using common sense?

That's nonsense. I ignored most covid advice re: one way walking systems, useless masks, only going out once a day because it was all performative rubbish, didn't report neighbours with visitors etc etc However, it's obvious that lighting a bbq in a drought is a really stupid idea - if you're in an area where it hasn't rained for almost 60 days like we are.

After seeing what happened in Stourbridge this week I'd definitely be reporting anyone lighting one simply because I dont want to risk our house burning down.

A bbq is fine!
A disposable one on the grass is not.