With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, families and friends will be gathering to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, and many people will be hosting backyard barbeques and using their outdoor grill for the first time this year. Three out of five households own a gas grill, which translates to a lot of great meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling, and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns. Here are a few fire safety tips to follow while grilling:
• Position the grill at least 10 feet away from the siding or deck, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Place the grill on a flat, level surface that cannot burn.
• Never use a barbecue grill indoors, or into any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
• Never leave the grill unattended.
• Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank or fuel line to be sure there are no leaks.
• Clean the grill regularly by removing grease and fat buildup from the grates and trays below. Always shut off the propane fuel at the grill and at the bottle after you have finished barbecuing.
• Charcoal grills should not be used on wood decks. Place them on a flat, level surface away from combustibles.
• Never place charcoal ashes in a plastic, rubber, or paper container or bag, or any other type of combustible container. Wet ashes thoroughly to ensure they are cold to the touch before disposal.