Become a Backyard Grill Master at Your Cookout with These Grilling Fire Safety Tips
Summertime is the perfect time to host an outdoor cookout for your friends and family to enjoy. During the fun and festivities, however, it’s important to make sure you practice good grilling fire safety. According to the National Fire Protect Association (NFPA), outdoor grilling causes an average of 8,700 home fires every year. As a fire and water damage restoration company in Louisiana, we know how devastating a fire can be and the damage that it causes.
Follow These Grilling Fire Safety Tips to Ensure That Your Summer Cookout Is a Success
Tip #1: Check for Leaks or Breakage Before You Cook
Faulty grilling equipment can quickly turn a nice outdoor barbeque into a catastrophe. Twenty-three percent of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or damage. Make sure your grill is sturdy and cannot be easily tipped over. To check the gas tank hose for leaks, mix together a bowl of dish soap and water together and apply it onto the hose. Open up the grill and then turn on the gas. If you see any bubbles forming on the hose, there is a propane leak, and you shouldn’t use the grill.
Tip #2: Establish a 3-Feet Space Rule Around the Grill
An open flame, even on a grill, can easily spread to flammable objects nearby. Wrappers, cloths, mitts, and other items should be about three feet away from the flames. Be cautious of overhanging objects such as branches or umbrellas as they can also pose a fire hazard. Limit the amount of foot traffic that comes by the grill. Children and pets should stay far away from the grill to prevent any accidental run-ins and burns. Your home has its own distance rule – you should be at least 10 feet away from your home when you are grilling.
Tip #3: Avoid Overloading the Grill with Greasy Food
Bacon-wrapped shrimp, bratwurst, steak, and even oiled vegetables are all delicious choices for an outdoor cookout. However, these foods also produce a significant amount of grease. If you put too many of these cookout foods onto the grill at once, all of that grease dripping off the foods can cause the fire to get out control, starting a grease fire.
Tip #4: Keep an Eye on the Flame at All Times
Never leave a burning grill unattended at any point. If you have to go inside or be away from the grill at any time, ask another adult to watch the flames while you are gone. Make sure the person you put in charge of the grill while you are gone knows how to work a grill and understands the basic grilling safety rules.
Tip #5: Clean Your Grill Before and After Each Use
Grease is delicious on foods, but it’s not a good idea to leave on your grill. The leftover grease and residue on the grill can cause a grease fire to ignite. Before and after using the grill, use a quality grill brush to clean the grates before and after every use. Be sure to periodically clean out the drip trays for any leftover grease and fat residue.
Tip #6: Be Prepared to Put Out a Fire
Whether you are an amateur griller or a grill master, you should always be prepared for any incident to occur. Both normal fires and grease fires can occur when you are grilling, so be sure you have the equipment you need to put out both. Do not use water on a grease fire as that can cause the flames to spread. If you have a fire extinguisher, make sure it can put out grease fires and that you know how to operate it.
Enjoy your summertime outdoor cookout, and make sure you are safe when using a grill. For any fire damage services, be sure to call 911 right away, and call CLEAR Restoration for any fire cleanup you need.
