- Britain has temporarily banned disposable barbecue sales
- Officials cited rising wildfire risks during the heatwave
- The government urged people to avoid outdoor fires
The British government has temporarily stopped the sale of disposable barbecues across Great Britain, citing the heightened danger of wildfires during the ongoing heatwave and drought.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said the products currently pose a serious threat to public safety and should not be sold either in physical shops or through online platforms.
Government guidance warned that disposable barbecues have been linked to several serious wildfires reported across the country during the summer.
Officials said the ban would remain under review and could be adjusted as weather and fire-risk conditions change. Retailers are also expected to receive further guidance on the temporary restriction.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged members of the public to avoid starting fires outdoors, warning that the country’s dry conditions have made vegetation highly vulnerable to ignition.
Speaking to the BBC, Burnham described Britain as being in an extremely dangerous state for outdoor fires and urged people to consider the potential consequences of their actions.
He said 37 fires were being dealt with across England and Wales, with four incidents classified as major emergencies.
While Burnham acknowledged that not all of the fires were connected to disposable barbecues, he said some may have been caused by their use.
The prime minister appealed to the public to exercise extreme caution ahead of the weekend, stressing that any outdoor fire could quickly threaten nearby homes, lives and communities.
The government has therefore urged people to avoid using disposable barbecues and other sources of outdoor flames until the current wildfire threat eases.
