With summer in full swing, many of us are enjoying eating ‘al fresco’ in the garden or at the beach and Torbay Council and TOR2 are reminding residents to dispose of their barbecues safely.

Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead for Planning, Councillor Derek Mills, said: “We would like to stress how important it is to make sure your disposable barbecue is completely cool before putting it in the bin. Likewise, if you have a charcoal barbecue, never put hot ashes in a bin.

“We all want to make the most of these sunny days so if you are planning a barbecue, consider the safety of yourself and others and dispose of it very carefully. Please also remember to take litter home with you, we want to keep Torbay a beautiful place to live and visit.”

If you are planning a barbecue, consider how you will cool and dispose of it to ensure everyone is kept safe.
Important things to remember:

• Do not empty ashes into dustbins or wheelie bins, if they are hot they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
• Do not put your disposable barbecue in a bin allow several hours until it has cooled down completely.
• Consider using a charcoal barbecue rather than a disposable one.
• If you are at the beach, use sand or water to extinguish and cool your disposable barbecue and never put a hot disposable barbecue into a litter bin, this will cause a fire.
• Never bury your barbecue in the sand or leave it on the beach.
• If you are planning on having a fire on the beach, check that fires are permitted, cool and clean up any charcoal
• If you are using a barbecue in a remote location, take plenty of water with you to extinguish it.
• Take all of your litter home with you.