⚠ Emergency: If a garden fire spreads to a structure — leave, call 999. Do not attempt to fight a structural fire.

Guide — Outdoor Fire Safety

BBQ Fire Safety

Barbecues are the third most common cause of accidental fires at home during summer months. Almost every BBQ fire is preventable. Position, supervision, and correct ash disposal are the three habits that matter most.

Rule one

Never use a BBQ indoors or inside an enclosed structure — even a barely-alight charcoal BBQ produces enough carbon monoxide to be fatal in an enclosed space. This includes garages, sheds, tents, and summerhouses.

BBQ safety: do's and don'ts

✓ Position BBQ at least 3 m from buildings, fences, and overhanging trees
✓ Use a BBQ on a flat, stable, non-flammable surface
✓ Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby
✓ Supervise children and pets at all times
✓ Allow coals to fully cool (12+ hours) before disposing
✓ Never use indoors or in an enclosed space — CO risk
✗ Use firelighter fluid or accelerants on a lit BBQ
✗ Dispose of warm ash in a plastic bin or cardboard box
✗ Leave a lit BBQ unattended
✗ Use a BBQ on a wooden deck without a fire-proof mat

Siting your BBQ: the 3-metre rule

Radiant heat, sparks, and unexpected flare-ups can travel surprisingly far. The minimum safe distance from any combustible structure — fences, sheds, trees, the side of a house — is 3 metres. On a typical garden patio this means positioning the BBQ well away from any wooden furniture, parasols, and plastic planters. Overhead clearance matters too: a bougainvillea or bamboo canopy above a BBQ has been the cause of numerous garden fires.

Lighting safely — and what not to use

Use only purpose-made firelighters or a chimney starter to light charcoal. Never use petrol, methylated spirits, or generic lighter fluid on a lit or warm BBQ — the vapour can travel invisibly along the ground and ignite explosively. For gas BBQs, check all connections before lighting and never store spare gas cylinders inside a building. If you smell gas before lighting, do not ignite — allow gas to disperse and check connections.

Ash disposal: the most overlooked risk

Ash that looks cold can contain live embers for up to 24 hours. The most common BBQ-related house fires occur the morning after, when warm ash placed in a plastic recycling bin overnight smoulders and ignites the bin against a fence or wall. Always place ash in a metal bucket with a lid, keep it on a non-combustible surface, and allow at least 12 hours before placing in an outdoor waste bin.

Carbon monoxide: the silent risk

A charcoal or gas BBQ produces carbon monoxide (CO) — an odourless, colourless gas that is lethal in enclosed spaces. Every year in the UK, people die from CO poisoning after bringing a BBQ indoors to keep warm, or using one in a tent during a camping trip. Even a fully extinguished charcoal BBQ continues to produce CO while cooling. Fit a CO alarm and see our carbon monoxide safety guide for symptoms and action thresholds.

If a garden fire spreads

If sparks catch a fence, shed, or tree, call 999 immediately. A garden fire can travel faster than you expect — particularly in dry summer conditions. Move everyone away from the fire and smoke. Close any doors and gates to reduce the air supply to the fire. Do not attempt to fight a structural fire with a garden hose. For general guidance on when to fight and when to flee, see our fight or flee guide. See also our summer 2026 BBQ fire statistics.

Related guidance

Frequently asked questions

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Frequently asked questions