SUMMER’S here and people across the country are retrieving barbecues from garages and preparing to cook al fresco.

But barbecue fires can put a strain on the fire brigade and so they have issued their top tips to cooking safely.

They include keeping a bucket of water nearby for emergencies, using only fire lighters and not petrol or paraffin for fuel, keeping it away from the house and waiting until embers are cool to throw them away.

Phil Hales, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s area manager for community safety, said: “As the warm weather is here, we know that people will want to enjoy the outdoors but we are keen to also make residents aware of the dangers of barbecuing which is why we are issuing these vital safety tips.

“Our main message is prepare well in advance and enjoy yourself safely.”