Drawing attention to the forest fires caused by barbecues that increase during the summer months, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated, “The habit of lighting barbecues must be abandoned today. Every year, hundreds of hectares of forest area are destroyed solely for this reason.”
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan called on picnickers to use modern alternatives such as foods brought from home and natural gas barbecue areas provided by municipalities, instead of lighting barbecues.
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, pointed to the increasing number of fire incidents caused by barbecues in the summer.
Barbecues must be abandoned
“The habit of lighting barbecues must be abandoned today,” said Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan and added, “Every year, hundreds of hectares of forest area are destroyed solely for this reason. Natural gas barbecue areas located in forested areas meet this need. There are places where meat and other items to be grilled, such as eggplants, are cooked at very affordable prices and served to the users. Many municipalities are rapidly establishing such recreational areas. It would be beneficial for municipalities that do not currently have such spaces to create them.”
Picnic foods should be prepared at home
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan emphasized that families going on picnics can prepare olive oil dishes or meatballs in advance at home and bring them in containers to the picnic area. He stated, “Likewise, previously brewed tea can be brought in thermoses, and the desired picnic can be enjoyed. In this way, forest fires caused by barbecues can be prevented. At the same time, injuries to children caused by spilled hot water or overturned barbecues while playing can also be avoided.”
Do not barbecue in wooded areas
Asst. Prof. Uçan stated that if it is absolutely necessary to barbecue, wooded areas should not be chosen and added, “There must be no dry grass or brush near the area where the barbecue is being made in the open space. A full fire extinguisher must definitely be with us.”
Uçan also emphasized that the barbecue must be extinguished with water after use and stated, “The remnants of the barbecue must be taken away together with the grill and brought back home. Items such as plastic bags and nylon products must not be left in the picnic area.”
Public awareness about barbecuing is at a very low level
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan, emphasizing that if an uncontrolled fire starts while barbecuing, the extinguishing process must be started immediately with a fire extinguisher without wasting time, concluded his remarks as follows: “The level of public awareness regarding barbecuing is very low. Therefore, absolutely do not light barbecues in grove areas. Use the barbecue facilities provided in municipal recreation areas or enjoy your day with foods brought from home such as olive oil dishes and meatballs.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)