- Firefighters warn of barbecue accidents
The fire department in Cologne urgently appeals to grill enthusiasts not to let their glowing equipment out of their sight, especially when children are nearby. "Unfortunately, there are around 4,000 grill-related incidents nationwide each year," spokesman Ulrich Laschet told the German Press Agency. And often, children are affected. "Approximately 20 to 30 percent of the victims in such grill incidents are children. And of these affected children, more than half suffer severe burns."
The Cologne fire department decided to hold a demonstration on the topic during the peak summer grilling season to raise awareness of the dangers of careless handling of these devices. At a press event on Wednesday, impressive flames were set alight.
Do not leave children unattended
"When children are present, one should be particularly careful when grilling," warned spokesman Laschet. "Children should never be left unattended near a grill, as it can happen that they pour something flammable into it." Another danger is that children may carelessly touch the grill. "This is incredibly painful and dangerous. Children are growing, and their skin does not grow back," said Laschet. "This can lead to serious complications."
High temperatures as an underestimated danger
In his view, many people are not aware of the temperatures they work with at a grill. Many also do not know how quickly an explosion can occur if gas leaks uncontrolled from a gas grill. Other dangers should also be considered.
"I myself have been on duty for over 30 years," reported Laschet. "I have personally experienced people using a charcoal grill in an apartment."
The Cologne fire department's demonstration emphasized the importance of avoiding grill-related accidents in apartments, especially when children are present. Children should never be allowed to play near or handle a grill due to the risk of severe burns.
