Life Hacks: How to ensure your barbecue doesn't spark a wildfire

Summer 2026 feels like unprecedented levels of barbecue planning and road trips. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when cooking outdoors and driving your car

Having a barbecue in dry weather? Make sure you do so safely to prevent fires

The recent weeks of high temperatures and dry weather have been quite a change from our usual summers, which typically see bursts of sunny spells separated by periods of rain and cloud cover. This summer has been quite different, most likely caused by climate change, and with that change comes a change in our behaviours too.

While any sun is typically met with an increase in outdoor activity, summer 2026 feels like unprecedented levels of barbecue planning and road trips — why plan a foreign getaway when the Irish summer offers better conditions? However, as this experience is so foreign to us, it comes with a few extra things to prepare for and be aware of in case of bad luck.