ESV works to keep summer barbecues burn-free

A FAULTY barbecue can burn more than just your sausages, according to Victoria’s energy safety regulator.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is promoting its summer barbecue safety campaign, Look Before You Cook, and also supporting the Clown Doctors at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Statistics show that barbecue fires can happen as often as every single day over summer, with 40 per cent of the fires over the year caused by gas leaks.

“We want to see kids enjoying the summer, not laid up in hospital particularly as a result of preventable accidents such as a barbecue fire,” ESV director of energy safety Paul Fearon said.

“A simple check of the gas connections ensures you don’t have leaks which can cause fires and result in nasty injuries, especially to children.

“It is as simple as spraying soapy water on your gas connections before you start cooking.

“If it doesn’t bubble, everything is fine. If it does, then replace your gas connections, the hose, or the gas bottle.”

He said many children in hospital were scared and felt vulnerable, even with the support of medical professionals and their families.

“Many parents have had the distressing experience of taking their children to hospital, including quite a few ESV employees. So, it is fitting that we are able to support a charity that helps to relieve their pain.”

As part of the partnership, ESV will sponsor a Clown Doctor clinic specifically for burns victims at The Royal Children’s Hospital, funding two Clown Doctors to attend the clinic once a week for 50 weeks of the year.

The Royal Children’s Hospital director of trauma and burns surgeon Warwick Teague said Clown Doctors were essential for the child and family-focused burns care provided by the hospital.

“Thanks to the art of Clown Doctors, so many kids are examined and have painful dressing changes with otherwise impossible peace, comfort, smiles and even giggles. It is magic to watch them at work.”

For more information on barbecue safety, head to esv.vic.gov.au.