Victoria’s independent energy safety regulator, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is calling on everyone to Know The Drill Before You Grill in the warmer months as people enjoy barbecues.

The drill is a series of simple steps that ensure your LP Gas cylinder is safe before lighting up your barbecue. It is part of an Energy Safe Victoria campaign that runs throughout the summer.

According to FRV and CFA statistics, firefighters respond to more than 150 barbecue fires over summer, that’s more than one barbecue fire for each day of summer.

“Barbecues are a social occasion, and part of our Australian culture – we want them to be happy times, not marred by fire”, said Victoria’s Director of Energy Safety, Marnie Williams.

Faulty hoses, leaky gas bottles and poor cleaning practices are just some of the causes of barbecue fires.

“Most of these incidents can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions which could mean the difference between a fun family celebration, or a trip to the emergency department,” Ms Williams said.

“If the connections on your barbecue are loose, the hose has perished or the cylinder has been damaged you could be putting your loved ones at risk of serious injury or even death,” she said.

There are just three simple steps to the drill:

• Inspect the hose between the gas cylinder and the barbecue for signs of perishing or cracking – if the hose is cracked or perished, replace it immediately.
• Using a squeezy bottle, spray soapy water (use dishwashing liquid and water) on the hose connections.
• If bubbles form, check your connections and retest. If bubbles continue to form, do not use the barbecue.

Leak test the connection to the cylinder every time you connect it or change cylinders.

“Leaks are common and can be very dangerous,” Member for Werribee Tim Pallas said. “This is a simple, quick test which could prevent a tragedy.”

“Summer is just around the corner and it’s going to start heating up soon in Wyndham. We all love a barbecue when it’s hot so it’s important yours is safe,” Mr Pallas said.

The Know The Drill Before You Grill campaign begun in mid-November, on regional television, streaming services, social media and radio, including CALD radio, and will run throughout summer.

It comes ahead of the introduction of new Australian Standards that mandate the use of safety valves on LP gas leisure cylinders. Known in Australia as the LCC27 valve, this safety valve or Quick Closing Coupling (QCC) valve, essentially only releases gas when attached to a gas connection, such as a barbecue hose assembly.

The new LCC27 valve will appear on LPG cylinders sometime during 2021. There will be a 10-year transition period as the estimated 12–15 million old gas cylinder valves across Australia are phased out.

For further information, including a free soapy water bottle, go to the website at: esv.vic.gov.au/knowthedrill