Keep Your Summer Fire-Free by Following These Barbecue Safety Tips
6/10/2019 (Permalink)
It’s the summer season in Connecticut and we’ve all been cleaning out our grills and enjoying the barbecue weather.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, outdoor grilling causes an average of 8,900 home fires per year. With 64% of households owning gas grills, they are the cause of the majority of home fires.
Grill fires are often avoidable when you take a few precautionary steps.
Check for propane leaks on your gas grill.
Sometimes, propane leaks are evident by the smell of gas but not always. To check for leaks, you can try a soap and water solution on the hose to check for leaks when the gas is on (it will bubble where the leak is).
Grill away from any structures.
25% of home fires start on a balcony or open porch because the grill is located too close to the structure. The grill can stay hot for up to an hour after it’s turned off so don’t relocate the grill closer to the home after turning it off.
If you use a charcoal grill, use only charcoal starter fluid.
Be careful to control the spray of the fluid prior to starting the fire. If the fire starts to go out, don’t add any starter fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
Avoid an unstable grill.
Keep your grill on a stable, flat surface and make sure it can’t be tipped over.
Keep your grill clean.
Remove grease or fat build-up often. Be certain to clean under the grill grates as well.