Several supermarkets have made the decision to ban or limit certain items from the shelves as soaring temperatures continue.
This summer’s heatwave has seen record-breaking temperatures across the UK with even areas of the Scottish highlands reaching all-time highs of 38C.
With vegetation becoming exceptionally dry, there has been a surge in the number of wildfires spreading through habitats.
Hours after the hottest day of the year on July 19, London Fire Brigade had its busiest day since World War Two.
The capital was one of 15 areas around the UK to declare a major incident.
According to the Home Office, disposable barbecues are said to be responsible for around 4% of serious fires which are started accidentally.
Commissioner Andy Roe took to Twitter to urge major supermarkets to completely remove disposable BBQs in a bid to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The LFB said: "We want to work with retailers to stop the sale of disposable barbecues and reduce the risk of dangerous grass fires."
The commissioner also wrote to local councils on Tuesday seeking their support for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in all open spaces.
While many supermarkets have moved to ban disposable barbeques, Cost-co has made the move to limit the number of water bottles bought per customer.
The wholesale supermarket has restricted each customer to three water bottle cases which each hold 40 Kirkland Signature Spring Water 500ml bottles.
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Which retailers have banned disposable BBQs?
M&S
A spokesperson for M&S said: "We'd already stopped selling disposable barbecues near national parks and in London.
"But given the unusually hot and dry conditions, we've taken the precautionary step of removing them from sale across the UK."
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has removed barbecue sales for now and will continue to review the situation going forward.
A spokesperson said: “As a precautionary measure we are removing from sale all disposable barbecues until further notice.
“Safety is our highest priority and we have made this decision due to the hot and dry weather that we are currently experiencing across the country.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and listen to customer feedback.”
Aldi
Aldi was the first to introduce a ban on disposable barbecues in all its stores.
As well as being a move to help protect forests and wildlife, it will also eliminate 35 tonnes of single-use packaging a year, according to the store.
“We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and know that many of our shoppers are increasingly looking to do the same,” said Liz Fox, Aldi UK corporate responsibility director.
“We hope customers can embrace our latest move and still want them to enjoy their summer picnics and barbecues.
“As an alternative, we would encourage customers to opt for more environmentally friendly and sustainable options such as mini portable barbecues, ensuring they are used responsibly.”
Morrisons
Unlike other stores, Morrisons has not issued an all-out ban on disposable barbecues, but only in certain locations within a one mile of all national parks.
This means stores near areas including the Brecon Beacons, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Norfolk Broads no longer stock the product.
A Morrisons spokeswoman said: "This year Morrisons removed disposable and portable barbecues from all of its stores that are within one mile of a National Park to help prevent wildfires.
“In light of fires UK-wide this summer we are currently reviewing whether we will range this product next year."
Coop
Since 2021, Co-op put a similar policy in place with 130 shops situated in or within a one-mile radius of a national park banning the sale of disposable barbecues.
They have also launched a campaign called ‘Put Me Out’ to promote safe ways to extinguish and dispose of instant barbecues.
A Co-op spokesperson said: ‘Since 2021, we have not sold instant BBQs in our stores situated in, and within a one-mile radius, of a National Park.
"Alongside this, our hard hitting ‘Put Me Out’ campaign, launched with the support of the National Fire Chiefs Council, features prominently on instant BBQ packaging and on signage in the stores, to remind consumers to extinguish with water and dispose of instant BBQs safely.”
B&Q
A B&Q spokesperson said: “Last year we took the decision to phase out disposable barbecues. They were completely removed from our product range to help combat the risk of fires and to continue our commitment to making our range sustainable across all categories. We’re pleased to see that other retailers have also followed suit.”
