June, July and August have more people grilling in them than any other month during the year. Because of this, there are more injuries and fires due to grilling accidents in those months. Even though Labor Day happens in September, we still need to be vigilant about safety.
Due to injuries involving grills, about 20,000 patients per year visit the emergency room. About half of those injuries are thermal burns from grills. If you are using fire, there is a chance you will get burned.
Around 2/3 of American households own at least one type of outdoor barbeque, grill, or smoker. Seems that gas grills contribute to more fires than charcoal grills. Additionally, over 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year.
We know you love to grill when you have a celebration, want good food, or want to have fun and share with friends but it is important to make sure that unnecessary accidents don’t interrupt your activities.
- Only use BBQ grills outdoors and in well-ventilated areas
- Place the grill away from the home or anything that could be flammable
- Keep the grill stable
- Keep the fire under control
- Keep children away from the grill
- Never leave the grill unattended
- The grill lid should always be open before lighting it.
- Grease should not be allowed to build up in the grill
- Use long-handled utensils
Gas/Propane
- Check the tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year by using a light soapy water solution to see if bubbles appear.
- You should not smell gas when the grill is lit. Move away from the grill and call the fire department.
- If the flame goes out, turn off the gas for 15 minutes and open the lid before re-lighting it.
Charcoal
- Never add any starter fluid or other flammable liquid to a fire
- Only use charcoal starter fluid and not gasoline, kerosene or other flammable liquid.
- Keep starter fluid away from heat sources and out of reach of children.
- Electric starters have a coil that ignites the charcoal.
- When finished cooking, close off the grill vents to suffocate the fire and save some of the remaining charcoal.
Finish up your summer and move forward into fall by practicing safe grilling and enjoy any occasion to cook outdoors and share time with your family and friends.
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