> Veolia, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, has launched the ‘Cool Your Coals’ campaign to educate residents about fires caused by incorrect disposal of single use barbecues and hot charcoal.
> The summer campaign is encouraging residents and visitors across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove to remember three simple steps: Pour. Leave. Bin.
As summer gets underway and thousands of people head to beaches, parks and open spaces across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, a new campaign is reminding everyone enjoying a barbecue to remember three simple steps: Pour, Leave, Bin.
- Pour – Pour water over barbecue coals until they are completely extinguished.
- Leave – Leave the barbecue until it is fully cooled.
- Bin – Once fully cooled, dispose of it in a designated BBQ disposal bin or take it home if one is not available.
Whilst a barbecue may appear to have gone out, the charcoal inside can remain dangerously hot for hours. Disposing of it too soon can cause fires in litter bins, waste collection vehicles or waste recycling facilities. Following these simple steps will ensure barbecues are safely extinguished, reducing the risk of fires which put the public, frontline team members, and the environment at risk.
Residents and visitors will see campaign messages appear throughout the summer on beaches, in parks, on dedicated barbecue disposal bins and across social media, helping to make the simple safety message stick.
Darren Powell, General Manager for South Downs, Veolia said: “Every summer, our teams deal with the consequences of disposable barbecues being thrown away before they’ve cooled. Hot coals can start fires in litter bins and at waste facilities, putting frontline colleagues, residents and the environment at risk. The good news is that it’s easy to prevent. By remembering three simple steps – Pour, Leave, Bin – everyone can play their part in keeping our communities safe while protecting the places we all enjoy.”
ESFRS Head of Prevention, Lisa Priestman said: “We're excited to be part of this collaborative campaign, helping people enjoy our beaches safely. Barbecue coals can remain dangerously hot long after the food has finished cooking. Heat can conduct into stones and sand, causing serious burns to bare feet and creating fire risks, such as wooden groynes catching fire. We encourage everyone to use water to cool the coals completely, and dispose of them responsibly in the bins provided. Small actions can make a big difference in preventing fires, reducing risk, and keeping our communities safe.”