Don’t blow the summer holidays, check your gas BBQ bottles, warns AMA (NSW)

As the weather warms up, many of us are planning get-togethers with family and friends, and nothing could be more Aussie than hosting a barbecue.

But before you partake in the time-honoured tradition of a “chop picnic,” AMA (NSW) is asking residents to undertake a safety check of their gas barbecue.

“As an Aussie, I love summer – but as a doctor, I’m very aware of the unique risks that come with the season,” said Dr Ken McCroary, AMA Councillor and general practitioner.

“The most common injuries from gas barbecues are burns to the face, hands, arms, and legs. These are excruciatingly painful injuries that are completely avoidable.”

In addition to burns, barbecue fires can quickly turn into house fires, causing serious injury and death.

Dr McCroary advises people to take some precautions and ensure barbecues are properly maintained. Gas escaping from your barbecue can cause explosions or fires – gas is highly flammable and easily ignited.

“Every time you barbecue, you should be doing a safety check. It’s simple and only takes a couple minutes but could save you a lifetime of pain and discomfort,” Dr McCroary said.

To check for gas leaks, you should inspect the hose for signs of cracking or damage. If you have any doubts about the hose, replace it before you barbecue.

The next step is to make a soapy solution to check for leaks on your cylinder connection. Mix a little household detergent in a water bottle and give it a shake. Squirt the solution onto the connection between the hose and the cylinder – bubbles will form if gas is escaping. If you see bubbles, turn off the gas immediately. Take another look at the hose as well as the connections to make sure there are tight. If the hose or O ring on the connection is damaged, then you need to replace before you barbecue. Re-test with soapy water, if bubbles still form turn off the gas and contact a licensed gasfitter.

A leak test on the connection should be conducted every time you connect it or change cylinders. If no bubbles appear, you are good to grill.

“These safety tips aren’t new – I remember my grandfather doing the soap test back in the ‘70s – but if you follow these steps, you’ll have a many grilling days ahead of you,” Dr McCroary said.

If you do suffer a burn, treatment will depend on severity. For minor burns, Dr McCroary advises people to run cold water over the burn immediately for at least 20 minutes. This will reduce the pain, swelling and risk of scarring. Then apply a non-stick dressing to cover the wound.

“The biggest mistake people make is putting ice or ice water on a burn. The extreme cold causes constriction of the blood vessels and can worsen the injury by reducing blood supply, causing further damage to the tissue.

“The other common misconception is to apply butter, ointment, salves, or creams. These may actually retain the heat.”

For serious burns, remove jewellery and clothing around the burn, cutting fabric if necessary. However, if clothing is stuck to the burned skin, do not remove.

“In more serious situations, you should cover the burn loosely with a dry non-stick dressing and seek medical attention immediately,” Dr McCroary said.

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