Prevention Tips

Barbecue safely

With beautiful weather comes a garden party with a delicious barbecue — we think so too. But we also want you to do it safely. Make sure you’re well prepared.

Don’t let your evening be ruined. Accidents during barbecuing or fire pits happen more often than you think. And it’s not always limited to a burn. Many accidents can be prevented by following a few simple rules. Here are some tips:

General Precautions

Always keep the BBQ or fire pit under adult supervision.
Place the barbecue or fire pit on a flat surface.
Once your barbecue or fire is lit, do not move it!
Use skewers with wooden handles. The metal ones can cause nasty burns.
Just like in the kitchen, keep flammable materials far away from the appliance.
Be cautious with highly flammable clothing.
The barbecue king of the evening takes responsibility: drink in moderation and ensure the situation remains fire-safe.
Keep children and pets at a safe distance and place a screen or barrier around the BBQ or fire pit.
Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby.

Charcoal BBQ

Fire starters are handy, but be careful what you use: methanol, gasoline, fire gel (burning paste), or petroleum do not belong at a barbecue. Only use charcoal or briquettes as fuel.
Never blow into the fire — use a bellows.

Electric or Gas BBQ

For an electric barbecue: fully unwind the extension cord.
Use an undamaged extension cord.
Lay cords in a way that no one can trip over them. Secure them with strong tape.
Do not connect multiple extension cords together.
Never place a gas bottle under the barbecue. Always place it beside it.

After Barbecuing or Fire Pit Use

After barbecuing or using a fire pit, make sure everything is properly extinguished. Use sand or water if necessary.
Let the electric or gas barbecue cool down completely before moving it.
Put away all extension cords.
Close the gas bottle immediately after barbecuing.

Protect Your Children from the Sun

The sun is high in a clear blue sky — a perfect day. We don’t want to spoil the fun, but we do want to emphasize the importance of proper sun protection. Intense sun exposure can seriously damage your skin. What should you pay attention to in order to enjoy the sun safely?

Applying Sunscreen

Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Choose a sunscreen that suits your child’s skin. Is their skin dry, easily irritated, or oily? Look for ingredients that match their skin type.
Going out in the sun? Apply sunscreen 30 minutes beforehand. It adheres better when the skin isn’t sweaty.
Reapply every two hours on sunny days, and always after swimming or sports. Avoid sun exposure between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Don’t be stingy — apply generously. Don’t forget these spots: the parting in the hair, lips, ears, edges of swimwear, and the tip of the nose.
Afterwards, apply a good after-sun lotion.

Other Measures

Make sure they drink enough water — it helps the skin recover.
Taking regular refreshing dips helps cool them down. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen afterwards. Keep in mind that sunburn happens faster at the beach, in water, and even in the snow.
You might not expect it, but clouds and parasols still let UV rays through. Always apply sunscreen, even when they’re under a parasol.
Make sure they wear light, loose clothing, a hat or cap, and sunglasses. UV-protective clothing offers even better protection.
In very strong sun and high temperatures, it’s best to keep children out of the sun or in the shade between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
As soon as you notice they’re sunburned, it’s important to cool their skin. This helps draw out the heat and limit further damage. Take a cool (not ice-cold) shower or bath. Apply wet, cool cloths to the burned areas.

Of course, all adults can benefit from these precautions too.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are a pure necessity in any home or building. Every year, many people die in house fires because they could not leave the home in time.

Place at least 1 smoke detector in the hallway on each occupied floor of the house.
A smoke detector is also recommended in (children’s) bedrooms.
Smoke detectors in the kitchen, bathroom or garage can lead to false alarms more quickly and are therefore not recommended. Use a heat detector there if necessary.

The best place to hang a smoke detector is in the center of the ceiling. If this is not possible, hang it at least 30 cm from the corner because smoke makes a “curling motion” that does not immediately reach the corners of a room.

A smoke detector is sensitive to dust, so it is best hung upside down on the ceiling. When there really is no other way, one on the wall is still better than none. In this case, hang the smoke detector as high as possible but at least 15 cm from the ceiling.

Place the smoke detector so that you can easily access it for maintenance (especially if it’s on the wall, vacuum regularly!).