Practice Fire Safety Every Time You Light Your Grill

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Practice Fire Safety Every Time You Light Your Grill

Getting your family together and grilling up a delicious meal is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, but when you are making ample use of your grill, it is important to not let your safety efforts grow lax. While grilling may be as natural to you as cooking on the stove, it is important to remember the special fire safety considerations that an open flame presents.

Grill fires are quite common according to the U.S. Fire Administration—there are over 5,000 fires that result from grilling accidents yearly, which adds up to millions of dollars in property losses. Knowing how to stay safe when grilling can significantly reduce the chances that you will be included in one of these stats.

Fire Safety Considerations for Grilling

Create a safe zone around your grill. You want your grill to be set up in a spot that is convenient to cook in, but make sure you consider safety when you designate a spot for it as well. In case of a flare-up, designate at least three feet around the grill to be absent of any flammable materials such as a deck or your home’s siding.

Clean your grill grates often. When food is allowed to build up on the grates of the grill, a fire hazard can quickly occur. These bits of food are often greasy, which can lead to a severe grease fire any time they become hot enough to ignite. Simply brushing your grill grates off after each use will remove these stuck-on food particles and make your cooking more consistent.

Never leave the grill unattended. It is wise to never leave an open flame, even for just a moment, and grills are no different. Even if the lid is down, still be sure that you have someone take over for you if you need a break and be sure to keep a working fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Inspect the grill regularly. Double-check your grill’s hardware every time you use it to prevent any accidents. Make sure the lid closes properly and that the connection to the gas tank is still air-tight and shows no signs of wear. Gas leaks are an extremely common cause of grill fires, so you may want to replace your hoses or connectors if issues arise

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us any time, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.