Grilling and Barbecue Safety Tips
Happy National Grilling Month! The smell and taste of good food grilling on the barbecue is a summer staple and a great at-home activity to do with your family while social distancing. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), on average, about 10,600 at home fires are caused by grills each year, and most grill fires occur in July. In light of July being National Grilling Month, Strellis and Field decided to share some grilling safety tips to keep you and your family safe as you cook up some summer meals!
According to the NFPA, approximately 19,700 people went to the emergency room for injuries related to grilling and about 9,500 of those injuries were thermal burns. Gas grills cause a higher amount of fires compared to charcoal grills. Therefore, we will provide general grilling safety tips and tips specific to your grill, whether that be a charcoal or gas grill! Keep these safety tips from the NFPA in mind when you next grill:
– Never leave your grill unattended.
– Both Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors, not in enclosed areas
– Place your grill far away from buildings, deck railings, dry leaves, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
– Make sure to keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area
– Use proper tools such as long-handled barbecue utensils and flame retardant mitts to keep safe and prevent burns
– Keep your grill clean by removing grease/fat buildup from the grills and the trays below the grill
According to the NFPA, 61 percent of households have propane grills. Some added dangers are present when using gas grills. Make sure to always open the lid to your gas grill before lighting it. Before you use your propane grill for the first time each year, check the gas tank hose for leaks. You can do a test by applying a light mixture of soap and water to the hose. A propane leak will cause a release of soapy bubbles. You can also smell propane leaks. If you realize your grill has a gas leak and there is no flame, make sure to turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, have your grill professionally serviced before trying to use it again. If the gas leak does not stop, you should stop what you are doing and call the fire department. If you are in the middle of cooking and smell gas, immediately back away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn both the grill and gas off and wait at least five minutes before re-lighting the grill.
If you use a charcoal grill, keep in mind that there are several ways to prepare your charcoal for use. As an alternative to starter fluid, you can use Charcoal chimney starters that allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. You can also try electric charcoal starters that do not use fire. However, if you are using an electric starter, be sure to bring an extension cord so you can properly light your charcoals far from any buildings. If you choose to use a starter fluid, make sure to only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to a lit fire. Furthermore, make sure to keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and pets and store it in a cool, dark place away from heat sources. When you are finished grilling, be sure to let the hot coals completely cool down before disposing of them in a metal container. Never dispose of hot coals in plastic, wooden, or paper containers. If you are unable to wait a full 48 hours for your coals to cool, generously douse them in water and stir them until the fire is out and they have cooled.
We hope these tips can help prevent grilling injuries, but if you or a loved one has been injured due to the fault of others, contact us today for a free initial consultation and complete analysis of the circumstances.
