Grill Safety Tips from the Fire Department

In the wake of a fire that started due to an unattended grill on the deck of a home in Chantilly Monday, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has issued some tips on grill safety: 

• Grills should be placed at least 15 feet from any home, building or combustibles to ensure adequate air circulation.
• Charcoal must be kept dry. Wet charcoal can spontaneously ignite. Spare propane bottles should be stored outside away from the home. A backyard shed is a good place.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill. Grills continue to give off heat long after cooking has stopped.
• Never place hot ashes in paper or plastic bags or containers. Only use metal containers for hot ashes.
• Use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved electrical starters in place of lighter fluid.
• Never use a gas or charcoal-fueled grill on apartment or condominium balconies; doing so is against the law. However, electric grills listed by a recognized testing authority may be used on balconies.