THE UK Government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbeques as they pose a “significant risk to the public” due to the heatwave conditions, according to advice published online.
The new advice published on the Government’s website states: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also called in the military and warned smokers not to risk setting light to “tinderbox” Britain as he scrambled to respond to the summer heatwave and wildfires.
The Prime Minister also revealed he planned to commission firefighting planes, as used to douse flames in Europe and the US, to combat the spread of wildfires.
He said the country has to “face up” to the “changing climate” and needs to transition to “more clean energy”.
Burnham said plans were being drawn up for emergency financial support for fire services battling the spread of wildfires.
His comments came on a visit to Stourbridge to see the impact of a devastating blaze.
A total of 54 people have been treated by paramedics, including 19 who were admitted to hospital, after wildfires broke out across the West Midlands, the region’s ambulance service said.
The blazes led to thousands of 999 calls on Thursday, the UK’s hottest day of the year, a fire chief said.
In an update on Friday morning, West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had attended “a number of serious fires” across the region “as hot and dry conditions continue”.
A heat health alert has also been extended until Saturday for much of England amid warnings that high temperatures may increase health risks for vulnerable groups.
It comes after temperatures provisionally reached 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday, the second time this year the country has seen temperatures hit 38C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended the current amber heat health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, London and East of England until 10am on Saturday.
All other regions in England remain under an amber alert until 9pm on Friday.
The UKHSA has warned high temperatures “may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups”.
Officials have urged people to take simple precautions such as staying out of the sun at the hottest part of the day, checking in on vulnerable friends and family, and staying hydrated.
Phil Garrigan, chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), previously gave his backing to measures to curb the sale of disposable barbecues, as the “current wildfire risk remains exceptionally high”.
He added: “We all need to do what we can to reduce the risk of preventable fires – one small spark can be all that is needed to start a wildfire with the conditions as they are.
“We have worked closely with retailers to encourage the temporary withdrawal of disposable barbecues from sale and welcome the Government exploring further measures.
“Alongside this, we are exploring the introduction of a temporary ban on ‘outdoor fires’ in areas facing the highest wildfire risk.
“Clear, time-limited restrictions, backed by direct public alerts, would help people understand when the risk is greatest and support a consistent approach to preventing fires before they start.”
Temperatures could hit 33C on Wednesday before potentially reaching highs of 37C or 38C on Thursday, the Met Office said.
Most major UK supermarkets suspended sales of disposable BBQs in recent weeks, in line with voluntary guidance from the NFCC.
