WARNING - Beach Barbeques!

Zarah Murray (5) received severe burns to her foot after walking on a BBQ.

Thank you very much for taking an interest in our blog! Many of you I’m sure like to have a barbeque on the beach with your families and friends but after reading our blog we hope you will know a bit more about the downsides and consequences of them. We are focusing on one beach in particular, Maidencombe beach.

Maidencombe beach could become one of the many beaches polluted by barbeques. Around the country many beaches have had some serious injuries and illnesses because of them. For example;

• On the 23rd March 2010, barbeques were banned from Portsmouth beach before 8pm for safety. It is an attempt to stop children from stepping on hot barbeques that have been buried under the pebbles. In 2004 a three year old boy suffered from bad burns after treading on a disposable barbeque left lying around. For more information go to; http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Barbecues-banned-from-beach-before.6172401.jp.

• 14-year-old Annie from Cornwall goes surfing regularly. She suffered severe headaches and was vomiting after going surfing in polluted waters. The water turned brown and put many people off. She says, “The government should do something about it but everyone can make a difference. My message to everyone is keep it clean. People can help by not leaving litter on the beach. Don't go to the toilet in the sea and think about what you flush down the loo”.
Here are some other dangerous facts;
• The smoke is harmful to Asthmatic children and adults. It is also unpleasant and unhealthy for others around you to inhale.
• Hot stones; abandoned, hot barbeques (disposable) and charcoal are dangers to beach users, dogs and wildlife. Hot stones shatter when they warm up and can also cause injury
• Most beach pollution (e.g. disposable barbeques) ends up getting dragged our by the tide which can harm sea life and sometimes small fishing boats. Also jellyfishes’ ideal habitats are in polluted waters so it’ll be more likely that there will be more jellyfish along the coast.

Our aim is to either ban barbeques completely, or ban during daytime hours providing all litter is cleared up and hot stones and charcoal are dealt with in the appropriate way.

Thank you so much again, for taking the time to read our blog. Please comment below and share your opinion by answering these questions!

* Before you read our blog, were you aware of this issue? If so, were you for/against/undecided?
* After reading our blog, do you feel more informed about the consequences and downsides of having barbeques on the beach?
* Would you be prepared to take action? E.g. sign a petition, raise awareness.
* Have we changed your opinion about having barbeques on beaches?

We are starting our advocacy at Maidencombe beach but you could help us by making beaches near YOU safe! If you would like more information on keeping your beach clean, go to http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.

Thank you again!
Jean & Freya