Safety first before firing up the BBQ

With the festive season almost in full swing, Queenslanders are being urged to check gas bottles and fittings before firing up their BBQ.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said gas bottles should be regularly and thoroughly inspected.

“If there’s any sign of rust or damage, dispose of it safely and get a new one,” Mr Wilson said.

“Barbecue fittings and hoses should also be checked for any signs of fraying, cracking or splitting,” he said.

Chief Gas Inspector John Fleming said people should make sure their gas bottle has been tested by a competent authority in the past 10 years, and that the bottle is not past its expiry date.

“People should check the gas bottle, and the base of the cylinder, for any sign of corrosion. If there is corrosion, it’s safer to take the gas bottle out of use and dispose of it safely. Contact the local council tip or a gas cylinder test station for details.

“You can check for gas leaks by brushing fittings with a soapy water solution after disconnecting and reconnecting any cylinders or gas hoses and equipment. Leaks will show up as bubbles.”

Mr Fleming urged people to take particular care when transporting gas cylinders in vehicles. There have been incidents of portable gas cylinders exploding in cars.

“Make sure gas cylinders remain upright during transportation and avoid extreme heat, such as leaving a cylinder in the sun,” Mr Fleming said.

“In particular, 9 kg cylinders (the ones used in caravans) must only be transported for the purpose of filling. Cylinder filling places provide plastic plugs. These are recommended as an extra safety device when transporting cylinders.

“Once you’ve reached your destination, remove the gas cylinder from the vehicle as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Fleming said people should use reputable outlets for filling or exchanging gas bottles and never fill their own gas bottles.

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