Fire Safety – Outdoor Gas Cookers

 

Planning on using an outdoor gas cooker? You’ll need to take some extra precautions to ensure you stay fire safe.

 

Before you set off

Before you head into the great outdoors, make sure your cooking appliances are in good working order. Check that you know how to use them correctly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Here are some other tips to keep you safe:

• Make sure all your equipment is sealed and secure.
• Pack your vehicle so that your equipment can’t get knocked or damaged while you’re on the road.
• Position yourself far enough away from trees and bushes so they won’t easily catch fire if you accidentally knock over your cooker.
• Keep fuel bottles or canisters that aren’t being used at least 5 metres away from the cooking area.
• Clearly mark your fuel bottles so they aren’t mistaken for something else.
• Store your fuel in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.

 

Using your cooker

It’s important you don’t expose your fuel canister or bottle to excessive heat. Follow these tips:

• If your cooking appliance has a windshield to protect the fuel bottle or canister, use it.
• Avoid using cooking utensils that have highly reflective surfaces, as these can reflect heat towards the fuel bottle or canister.
• Don’t operate the cooker for long periods of time without giving it a rest every so often to let it cool down. 

 

Refuel your cooker safely

• Don’t refuel while the cooker is still operating.
• Don’t refuel the cooker in the ‘kitchen’ area at a campsite or hut. Move to a safe spot where it won’t affect anyone else.
• Let the cooker cool down before refueling it.
• Refuel on the ground. Don’t hold the cooker and fuel bottle or canister in the air.
• Dispose of LPG canisters responsibly. If they can’t be recycled, discard them appropriately.

 

information courtesy of Fire and Emergency New Zealand