The UK Government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues as they pose a “significant risk to the public” amid ongoing heatwave conditions.
The single-use grills “have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months”, advice published online by the government said.
It added: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.”
Downing Street said the guidelines would be kept under review.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham had indicated earlier this week that he favoured a ban on disposable barbecues.
On Friday, Burnham said his message to the public was not to light an open fire “of any kind” and to dispose of cigarettes carefully amid a “combustible” situation.
He added: “You are taking risks with other people’s homes, with other people’s lives, if you act recklessly.”
The new advice and disposable barbecue ban come as six firefighters were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion after battling wildfires across the West Midlands.
Paramedics have treated more than 50 people across the region – including 19 who were taken to hospital – due to the blazes.
Glynn Luznyj, chief fire officer for the Staffordshire Fire Service, said on Friday that crews have been working “tirelessly” through the night to get fires under control.
“We’re working extremely hard to keep everyone safe, but we really need people to do their part to prevent these fires from happening in the first place,” he added.
In the wake of the fires, Burnham has also announced that an “emergency financial support” package is being drawn up for fire services.
He added that the country has to “face up” to the “changing climate” and needs to transition to “more clean energy”.
Yesterday, the UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far, as temperatures soared to more than 38C in London.
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