Make sure your BBQ doesn't go up in smoke this summer

The latest Churchill home insurance TV adverts show the nation’s favourite insurance mascot dreaming of Sian Lloyd feeding him sausages. The rest of the nation may not be dreaming of Sian, but come the sunshine, up to 27 million* BBQs could be lit across the nation.

And whilst most result in a great time with family and friends, some do end up in a trip to accident and emergency.

Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance, comments, said:“When barbecues are mixed with a party atmosphere, accidents can happen. We urge people to take care to avoid damage to themselves or their property. People also need to be wary of the potential damage to the garden if a barbecue fire should get out of control, especially as the average Brit spends over £200** on equipment for  their garden every year.”

Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said:“In a hot summer around 1,400 people are likely to go to hospital after an accident with a barbecue, but there is no need for people to have accidents if they take the correct precautions.  Children should be supervised at all times near barbecues – even after the cooking has been completed because the equipment will remain extremely hot for a long time.  Some of the worst burns result from people rushing to light the barbecue using accelerants such as petrol or meths and this can lead to explosions.”

Churchill’s top tips on BBQ safety:

• Before you start, ensure the barbecue is in good working order
• Ensure that the barbecue is on a firm, level surface and sheltered from gusts of wind
• Ensure that the barbecue is well away from anything flammable, such as garden sheds, garages, fences, or over-hanging trees
• Never wear loose, flowing clothes when tending a barbecue and tie long hair back
• Do not hold makeshift barbecues in woods or fields and never light a barbecue indoors or in a garage
• Keep a bucket of water nearby
• Never use petrol or paraffin, to start a barbecue. Only use recommended firelighters or fluids, following the manufacturer’s instructions
• Take care when cooking fatty foods as fat spilling on to the coals may cause a fire
• Ensure that children and pets are kept well away from barbecues
• Drink responsibly when tending to a barbecue
• After cooking, allow embers to cool completely before disposing of them and then pour water over them

To celebrate the launch of Churchill’s new home insurance offer, a new BBQ themed TV Campaign featuring weather girl and celebrity Sian Lloyd can be seen throughout July.

For further details on Churchill Home Insurance, visit www.churchill.com or call 0800 200 326.

For more information about Neighbourhood Watch and how it can help your area, visit the following: www.neighbourhoodwatch.net

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster

RBS Insurance Press Office

0208 285 8682

Email: claire.foster@rbs.co.uk

Notes to editors

* Research carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of RBS Insurance in a survey of 2,135 people between the 18th and 25th of March 2008.

57% already have or are thinking of purchasing a barbecue this year according to research carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of RBS Insurance in a survey of 2,135 people between the 18th and 25th of March 2008. 57% of 47,788,000 (total adult population) is 27, 239,000 or 27 million.

** Average Briton spent £632.53 in the last three years according to research carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of RBS Insurance in a survey of 2,135 people between the 18th and 25th of March 2008.