Summer is the season of vacations, pool parties, and backyard barbecues. If you aren’t careful, however, a fun family cookout can turn tragic in a split second. Every year there are an estimated 8,900 grill fires at U.S. homes, leading to an average of $110 million in damage to property. While 5,100 of the fires are contained outside, 3,900 of them involve a house or other structure. In addition, grill fires are responsible for about 160 injuries—and 10 fatalities—every year.
Grill fires can get out of control very quickly, so the number one tip for grilling safety is: watch your grill constantly while it’s in use. Beyond that, the following grill safety tips will keep a grilling injury or grill fire from messing up your summer fun.
Types of Grill
There are three main types of grills, and each has its own set of safety issues.
- Charcoal – Uses fire to cook food by burning charcoal briquettes for fuel.
- Gas – Also involves fire. Uses natural gas (often from a permanent gas line) or propane (usually from a portable tank) for fuel.
- Electric – Does not involve fire but does involve electricity. This type of grill cooks food by using grill plates heated by electricity.
Safe Use Tips for Grills
Naturally, most safety tips regarding grills involve fire safety. But grills add grease, explosive gases, and proximity to a house to the mix, so it’s important to be aware of the particular risks and strategies for avoiding these added dangers.
- Place your grill away from your house, porch, garage, awning, deck railing, and landscaping. Never grill inside or in an enclosed area such as a garage, as both charcoal and gas grills produce potentially deadly carbon monoxide gas.
- Don’t wear loose clothing while grilling. In addition, wear oven mitts that extend far up on the forearm as well as a heavy apron. This will provide some protection from burns. And use long handled grilling tools to keep your hands a safe distance from the lit grill.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill while it is in use.
- Only use lighter fluid that is made for grilling. Do not use any other flammable liquids such as gasoline. If using a charcoal chimney to ignite your charcoal, avoid burns by using a long match.
- Once the fire has started, do not add more lighter fluid. And once the grill is lit, do not try to move it.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher within easy reach, and that you know how to use it.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
Cleaning the Grill and Removing and Disposing of Grease
Staying safe while grilling isn’t just a matter of taking care while the grill is in use. Lower the risks of grease fires and other potential problems by taking care of your grill between uses.
- After you have finished grilling, the grill will still be hot for a while. Never try to store or cover your grill while it is hot. Wait till it has cooled before putting it up.
- If you’re using a charcoal grill, always use water to soak your coals before you dispose of them.
- Remove fat build up and grease in the trays under the grill as well as on the grill itself.
Gas Grill Issues
Because propane grills involve highly pressurized flammable gas, you’ll want to be aware of some additional safety issues.
- Propane tanks should be stored outside and away from your home.
- Valves on propane tanks should always be tightly closed when not in use.
- Before every use, check grill hoses for brittleness, holes, and cracks. Check and clear any blockages from the hoses before use. If you find a problem with your hose, don’t panic, and don’t disregard the issue. Most grill hoses can be swapped out with replacement hoses commonly available at hardware stores. If you need help choosing the right one, be sure to ask.
- Check the elements running along the bottom of the grill (where the fire comes out) to make sure there are not cracks or rusted areas that could break.
- If you smell gas while the grill is not lit, turn off the grill and propane tank.
- If you smell gas while the grill is lit, or while cooking, quickly move away from the grill and get everyone a safe distance away, then call the fire department.
