Beware barbecue burns, Minister advises

Wearing an apron and cooking chicken legs, Health Minister Joe Cassar launched a campaign for the prevention of barbecue burns.

The event was held at Mistra Bay on Wednesday evening. The minister was joined over the hot charcoals by Public Health Director General Ray Busuttil and Director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Charmaine Gauci. As they cooked, they dished out some practical tips on good practice.

“Health and safety must be a major consideration when one is planning a barbecue,” Dr Cassar said, reminding all those present that the number of casualties received by the hospital burns unit tended to increase during the summer months.

The barbecue site must be away from anything that may catch fire and a barbecue is not a good time for children to learn to cook, they advised, among other recommendations.

After the event they distributed promotional leaflets that will be used in the educational campaign.