Aberdeen fire chief’s ‘poisoning’ warning amid fears disposable barbecues could be used to heat homes

By Lauren Taylor and Alastair Gossip

November 7 2022, 5:00 pm

Chay Ewing is warning of the hazards of using alternative fuel to cook and stay warm this winter. Image: Kenny Elrick / DCT Media.

There are fears vulnerable people in Aberdeen could resort to using disposable barbecues to heat their homes this winter.

Fire chiefs are worried the spiraling cost of energy could drive desperate residents to turn to alternative means of staying warm through the colder months.

In Aberdeen, they have had to warn firefighters of increased risk, as more households try to bypass their electric meters.

People could ‘potentially’ use barbecues to heat homes in face of fuel poverty

Now, Aberdeen commander Chay Ewing is trying to raise awareness of the “perils” of trying to find cheaper ways to keep homes warm.

Briefing councillors on the dangers, he gave anecdotal evidence of throwaway barbecues – which cost as little as £2.50 – causing housefires elsewhere.

Aberdeen area commander, Chay Ewing, has warned people away from using untested means of heating their homes, despite the high cost of energy. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson

The base of the disposable tray barbecues can top 400C in temperature.

“Unfortunately we know the risks of disposable barbecues in the camping arena, where individuals have taken them into a tent, not just necessarily for heat but also to cook,” Mr Ewing said.

“There is a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if they decide to do that.

“I certainly remember wee paraffin heaters to heat our house and the risks associated with them.

“It’s a reminder of what people used to do and potentially what they could start doing now with the current financial situation and fuel poverty.”

But he confirmed there had been no housefires caused by disposable barbecues in the north-east

Fire chief: Mild autumn could be masking dangerous winter ahead

Mr Ewing suggested the “mild” autumn may have played a part in keeping incidents low.

Firefighters have been warned more people are bypassing their electricity meters. Mr Ewing said it increased risk for his crews responding in emergencies, as well as those living there. Image: Shutterstock.

But the fire service is preparing for a busy winter period as heating costs continue to rise.

He said: “We can certainly see there’s a link with the cost of living and the public having to look at alternative fuel sources.

“That’s why we are trying to get ahead of the game, providing information that includes the risks and hazards, and hopefully the mitigation to prevent them from being harmed.”

Open fires and wood-burning stoves being brought back into use

More people are also expected to bring fireplaces or wood-burning stoves back into use.

Firefighters are aware of more people using chimneys and wood-burning stoves again. Image: Shutterstock.

Mr Ewing urged people to inspect chimneys and flues that had been out of action for years.

And before a match is lit, he also pressed for householders to get a chimney sweep in.

Fears memory of how to safely use fires could have been ‘lost’

Even with those precautions, concerns have been raised that people will have left the fire place alone for so long that they may have forgotten how to use it safely.

Labour councillor Lynn Thomson said: “With the cost of living crisis you can certainly see why people are going back to the old ways of heating.

“Do you have a sense is that memory of how to people should manage fires and paraffin heaters – by getting the chimney swept or having a fire guard – has that been lost?”

Firefighters are warning of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning - with fears it could be on the rise this winter if people turn to alternative fuels to keep warm this winter. Image: Scottish Fire and Rescue. — Firefighters are warning of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – with fears it could be on the rise this winter if people turn to alternative fuels to keep warm this winter. Image: Scottish Fire and Rescue.

Agreeing there was a “mix of that in there”, Mr Ewing stressed fire service advice was for people to continue using modern facilities like central heating and ovens for cooking.

“I guess what we are trying to do is look slightly ahead at what could come and try to prepare, mitigate and educate,” the area commander said.

“My message is to use the safer, modern means of heating homes instead of the old days of heaps of blankets on, round the four-bar electric heater downstairs.

“But we are totally conscious that this is what people might start doing.”

https://mobile.twitter.com/SFRSYourSafety/status/1586689374510452736

Fire alarm law change came into force this year

Earlier this year, new legislation requiring all households in Scotland to fit interlinked smoke alarms came into force.

For those with carbon-fuelled appliances, such as a boiler, fire, heater or flue, homeowners must also have a carbon monoxide detector. This does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

Safety advice, and how to arrange a home fire safety visit, can be found on the SFRS website.

Meanwhile, council co-leader Alex Nicoll pledged to have the local authority share the warnings too.

He added: “This is a very timely reminder at the beginning of winter – especially given the circumstances that we are going to be in this winter.”