Don't Be That Guy: Summer Grilling Tips Guaranteed to Keep your 'BBQ Baron' Safe

Summer has finally arrived here in Wisconsin, and that means that the grilling and barbecuing season has “officially" begun. Unfortunately that also means that home fires caused by outdoor grilling are also on the rise.

We wanted to take a few moments to share some quick fire safety tips when it comes to the using that grill. Most of us would agree that there is nothing quite like grilling outdoors, is there? In the summer, this is one of the most popular ways to cook food.

· According to the National Fire Protection Agency, about three out five households own a gas grill….that means lots of these folks are eating lots of great meals, but it also means there is an increased risk of home fires.

· Did you know that during an average year, there are about 8,900 home fires caused by grilling, additionally, grills can be very, very hot which can (and does) cause many, many burn injuries.

· In 2014, 16,600 patients were seen in an E.R. because of injuries involving grills.

· By the way, did you know that about half of the injuries that do involve grills are thermal burns? Let me share from personal experience, these burns HURT, HURT,HURT!!!!!

· July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by May, June and August.

· Failure to clean the grill was a leading cause that contributed to about 19% of grill fires. 17% of fires were caused by something that was placed too close to the grill that could (and did) catch fire.

· 11% of grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks in the grill and about 23% of the fires were determined to be unclassified.

· Gas grills do contribute to a higher number of home fires, than charcoal grills do.

With those statistics in mind, we share the following fire safety tips with you, courtesy of Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.

Basic Gas Grilling Fire Safety Tips:

Always use your barbecue grill outdoors, in an open area away from any enclosure or overhang – otherwise carbon monoxide can accumulate and cause fatalities.

Be sure all parts of your grill are firmly in place and that the grill is stable If you use electrically-powered accessories (e.g., a rotisserie) be sure they are properly grounded in accordance with local codes.

Only use extension cords that are specifically made for outdoor use; and then make sure you route the cord well away from the hot grill and away from walkways. If you don’t, someone could easily trip over the cord and fall into the grill.

They make long handled utensils specifically for cooking on the grill outside so that you can avoid burns and splatters, so please make sure you use them. You will save yourself a trip to the E. R.

Its fun to get all dressed up for a barbeque, but if you are doing the grilling, don’t wear anything that is going to hang (like loose shirttails, ruffles, frills, or apron strings.) They will become a fire hazard.

To extinguish flare-ups, spread out the coals with a long-handled utensil (if you can reach them easily), or adjust the controls to reduce the temperature.

Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher handy.

If you do not have a commercial extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby. For more information on fire extinguishers and the use of them, see our blog post by clicking here.

Never leave a hot grill unattended.

Do not allow any activities around the grill when it is in use or still hot. This also means that if you have children, or if grandchildren are visiting, they shouldn’t be running around the grill area.

Always use the grill away from combustible surfaces, and never attempt to move a hot grill.

Prior to lighting a gas grill, be sure to open the lid to prevent a buildup of gas.

When cooking is completed, be sure to turn off the fuel supply and then turn the burners to “off”

Check your grill regularly for signs of wear and tear, particularly for hose cracks and possible leaks; also keep burners clear of dirt and insects that can block hoses.

If you have an LP gas grill, always store your propane tanks outside and in an upright position.

Never use an LP cylinder if it shows signs of dents, gouges, bulges, fire damage, corrosion, leakage, excessive rust or other forms of visual external damage. It may be hazardous and should be checked by a liquid propane supplier.

Basic Charcoal Grilling Fire Safety Tips

· Form a pyramid with the charcoal briquettes or wood chunks and douse with lighter fluid. You will need to wait until the lighter fluid has soaked in before lighting the grill.

· Make sure you cap the lighter fluid immediately; and then make certain you place it a very safe distance from grill.

· Don’t add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm.

· NEVER EVER use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile fluids as a starter. They can explode.

· If you don’t have lighter fluid, try one of these alternatives; an electric, solid, metal chimney or other starter specifically made for lighting charcoal briquettes or wood chunks.

· If you use a hot starter, be sure to unplug and remove it with caution; also, as with the lighter fluid, be careful where you place it and never store it away until it is completely cooked.

· Never use an electric starter in the rain and/or when standing on wet ground.

· When using instant light briquettes, do not use lighter fluid, electric, solid, or metal chimney-style starters. Do not add more instant light briquettes once the fire has been lit. Add only regular charcoal briquettes if more are needed.

· Once the grill is lit, do not touch briquettes or wood chunks to see if they are hot. Keep grill uncovered until ready to cook.

· Always allow coals to burn out completely and let ashes cool at least 48 hours before disposing.

· Dispose ashes by wrapping in heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing in non-combustible container. Be sure no other combustible materials are nearby.

· If you must dispose of ashes before completely cooled, place them in heavy duty foil and soak with water completely before disposing in non-combustible container.

Quick Do’s and Don’ts of Grilling Overview

(Courtesy of Underwriters Laboratories)

Do:

1. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. If you can move it farther away than that, that is even better. This means that the grill shouldn’t be carports, under the porch, or just inside in the garage.

2. Keep the grill cleaned. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups. For more information on grease fires, please click here.

3. Check for gas leaks. You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

4. Keep decorations away from your grill. Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas look pretty BUT they also provide fuel for a fire. You may not think of them as a combustible, but they are. And to “add fuel to the flame”, these items pretty much consist of artificial fibers that are going to burn very hot and very fast.

5. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

6. Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill. And KNOW HOW TO USE IT. If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don't waste time fiddling with it before calling 911. Firefighters say many fire deaths occur when people try to fight a fire themselves instead of calling for expert help and letting the fire department do its job.

Don't: (we have already mentioned a couple of these items above, but they bear repeating!)

7. Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER, EVER do this. It will cause gas to build up inside your grill, so that when you do light it and open the grill, a fireball can explode in your face.

8. We mentioned this above, but it bears repeating…..NEVER leave a grill unattended. Fires double in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.

9. Overload your grill with food. This applies especially fatty meats. The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire.

10. Use a grill indoors. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. DON’T DO THIS! In addition to the fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide, the deadly colorless, odorless gas. That gas needs to vent in fresh air or it can kill you, your family and pets.

If you keep the above safety tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy your grill, your home, and your health without worry of a grill fire.

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