Ban disposable BBQs and sky lanterns
| Thank you to everyone involved in fighting fires and in fire prevention through the country and the world. Please stay safe. |
It’s a very hot and DRY summer so far for most of us. The heat and dry conditions have created the perfect conditions for wildfires to start and really take hold. For me, it has been particularly tragic to see the destruction of the natural world and the death of so many who call it home because of wildfires. The efforts of the fire services have been heroic, and they must all be exhausted.
It really is important for us all to do what we can to reduce the risk of wildfires happening.
The loss of life is catastrophic – millions of animals will have died. Wildfires destroy thousands of acres of wildlife habitat, so even if the animals do survive a fire, there’s nowhere for wildlife to live and nothing for them to eat.
So many wildfires CAN be prevented. Disposable BBQs can produce carbon monoxide long after the flames are extinguished, so they are hardly healthy for the planet and the natural world, which includes you and me. And if they are single-use items, they are hardly eco-friendly.
Yes, there are other things which cause wildfires other than disposable BBQs. Sky lanterns are another problem, so are cigarettes not put out and dealt with, tossed out of car windows, rubbish discarded or dropped, glass and cans can all cause wildfires. Disposable BBQs are just one part of the problem - but any action to limit potential damage is a surely a good move.
Actions you can take to ban disposable BBQs
- Don’t use, buy or sell disposable BBQs and sky lanterns.
- Don’t leave glass lying around in the countryside. If I see glass lying about, I pick it up carefully and take it home to dispose of, (muttering oaths along the way about the carelessness, laziness and thoughtlessness of other people.)
- Spread the word about the risk these things involve
- Please sign the petition calling for a ban on sale of disposable BBQs. You could also write to your MP about it.
When it's very hot and dry, please avoid having a bonfire in your garden.
Wildfire risk toolkit: gathering evidence and securing local action
Tackling the sellers
The UK Prime Minister has announced a temporary ban on disposable BBQs but it's sticking a plaster on a huge threat. A number of retailers had already announced temporary bans on single-use BBQs but they need to come off the shelves permanently. They can take 4 hours to cool down, so it’s impossible to move them. Can you imagine people hanging around for 4 hours to wait to move them?
- Check to see if a retailer is selling disposable BBQs (and/or sky lanterns)
- Email retailers to ask them to stop selling disposable BBQs and Sky lanterns permanently. The more people power we can put on them, the better.
- If your chosen retailer is still selling disposable BBQs, you could actually boycott them if you’re able to, and tell them why.
National Farmers Union
You can sign a petition to ban on disposable BBQs here.
Now, the National Farmers Union (NFU) have info about getting serious about wildfires. They have a wildfire risk toolkit for farmers for gathering evidence and securing local action. It's explains how to record incidents – e.g. the use of disposable barbecues – get evidence and work with local authorities to support restrictions that reduce wildfire risk. It is effectively a step-by-step guide on what to do if you find a disposable barbeque on your land. Take a look at it here. They also have info on fire risk assessments and what they should contain here.
Littered Glass
Littered glass left in grass and woodlands is a risk, and not just for fire – children and animals can cut themselves on it or tread on it whilst walking barefoot and goodness knows how many animals have died getting their heads stuck in glass (and other) containers.
While we are on the subject of things floating up into the air and causing litter and killing wildlife and other animals, please take a moment to visit the Marine Conservation Society's page and their campaign Don't Let Go. It's about balloon releases. They have alternatives to balloon releases here if you want to have a memorial for a loved one. A number of local councils already have bans for sky lanterns and/or balloon releases already - check to see if yours is among them here.