Whip out those spatulas and get your cookout aprons on; it’s grilling season.
But before you do, make sure you’re caught up on grilling safety and fire hazards to be aware of. The last thing your Fourth of July celebration or graduation party needs is a charred patio umbrella.
July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August. Between 2017 to 2021, an average of 22,155 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of grilling-related injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Not only do children under 5 account for 46% of the contact-type burns per year caused by grills, but gas grills were also involved in an average of 9,079 home fires per year, including structure fires and outdoor fires. Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills are involved in 1,440 home fires per year, reported NFPA.
To keep the flames on the grill and prevent your backyard from becoming the latest barbecue, here are some safety tips from First Alert to keep in mind:
Only use grills outside
While it may seem obvious to only use a grill outside, we know there’s the temptation of setting up shop under a covered balcony or inside of your open garage.
Charcoal, gas and propane grills are designed for full outdoor use where there is no shortage of adequate ventilation. If there are combustible materials surrounding or hanging over an in-use grill, like an awning or miscellaneous household items, these objects can quickly catch fire.
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Ensure that wherever you choose to place your grill, the area above and around it is clear and unobstructed.
Maintain distance from your home
Perhaps you saw a two-page spread in Better Homes and Gardens that inspired you to revamp your patio feng shui, including placing your grill against a railing on your back deck or next to your back door.
Looks aren’t everything. Placing your grill in areas close to your home can pose a potential fire hazard and lead to structure fires or nearby objects going up in flames.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home or other structures.
Also, be sure to store propane tanks upright in well-ventilated areas away from your house. Check to make sure the tank valves are turned off fully.
It’s also worthwhile to create a grill perimeter while cooking, typically a 3-foot radius of space that acts as a safe zone away from kids and pets.
Grill on flat ground
Whether you’re a pro at flipping burgers or slow-cooking brisket, no one is immune to the power of gravity, including your grill.
Grills placed on slopes or uneven surfaces run the risk of tipping over and causing a fire. Not only will your cookout spread be completely wiped out, but your grill also might end up worse for wear.
Make sure your grill is set up on a stable surface, such as a concrete pad, so that it remains level while in use.
Check for leaks
Even if your grill is your baby and you keep it in pristine condition, it’s still good to do a thorough check at the start of each season.
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A leak in a gas line can cause natural gas to build up inside the barbecue when the lid is closed, and that’s not the sort of bang we’re hoping to start summer off with.
Remember to always open the lid of your grill before lighting it, too.
Get to cleaning
Getting spicy on the grill racks is loads more fun than cleaning up afterward, but if you want to keep your grill in good condition and decrease the risk of a fire hazard, you need to slap on those kitchen gloves and put in some elbow grease.
Barbecue aficionados know regular grill use causes grease to build up on the grill plates and collect inside the grease tray. If this is left as is, the buildup acts as fuel and can catch fire while the grill is in use.
To avoid this, clean your grill after each use with a grill brush and empty the grease tray when it fills up.
Watch your barbecue
You may know the time it takes to grill ribs as well as you know the back of your hand, but no matter how much of a grill guru you are, it is not safe to leave your grill attended.
High heat and open flames from grills are a recipe for disaster, and if left unattended, you may not catch an accident in time before a fire catches.
If you need to walk away, ask another adult to watch the grill for you or make sure you can easily see the grill from locations like a kitchen window, a home security camera or the back door.
Wear the right attire
Who says grilling can’t be fashionable? It’s tempting to throw on the first outfit you can cobble together, especially during the dog days of summer, but protecting your body in grill-appropriate clothing while cooking hot dogs is a necessary precaution.
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Do not wear clothing items with long sleeves or pieces that dangle and can easily catch fire near an open flame.
Your best bet is to wear apparel that won’t interfere with the cooking process. For aprons, this means tying strings behind you and tucking in the excess loops.
Don’t wear loose oven mitts that run the risk of falling off into the flames, either.
Investing in long-handed tools specifically made for grilling is a great way to stay safe and decrease the chances of your clothes encountering flames under the lid, too.
If a piece of your clothes does catch fire, stopping, dropping and rolling will extinguish the flames quickly.
Keep a spray bottle handy
A good spatula or a fancy pair of tongs is the grilling version of man’s best friend, but don’t sleep on the spray bottle.
It’s common for grills to flare up when fat drips from meat as it cooks, but this can leave a section of the grill on fire as the residue burns away. If left alone, the flames will continue to burn and can cause excess smoke to billow out from under the lid.
Keeping a spray bottle filled with water handy is a sure way to quickly extinguish smaller flames before they spread.
Place a fire extinguisher nearby
Despite all the safety precautions, grill fires still happen. In the event that one does break out, it’s important to have a fire extinguisher near your grilling station.
In times when a spray bottle filled with water doesn’t cut it, having a traditional fire extinguisher in working order (which you also need to check regularly) or an extinguishing spray on deck will quickly eliminate fires and avoid flames from spreading further.
Keeping these items close to your grill means a quicker reaction time and lessens the chances of flames jumping to other surfaces while you run around your property trying to remember where you last saw your fire extinguisher.
Dispose of materials properly
Once the barbecue sauce has settled and all the bellies are full, don’t let your food coma lull you into forgetting about properly disposing of your coals if you are using them to create your feast.
The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency advises everyone to place the coals from their grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin atkgriffin@delawareonline.com.
