Grilling Season Safety
Summer brings us outside for all kinds of fun – including outdoor cooking on our grills. Whether you prefer to use a charcoal or gas grill or have stepped up your smoker game, there are many things to keep in mind in order to enjoy grilling season safely.
Our friend Foolhardy Marty lives in an apartment building and is lucky to have a balcony. However, it is not safe to use a grill on those small, wooden structures – it puts the entire building at risk for a devastating fire and related water and/or smoke damage.
Peak summer = peak risk for grill fires. July is the most active month for fires and injuries caused by misuse of grills. Here’s a few top tips for proper grill use and maintenance to keep those burgers and hot dogs on your plate and not fuel for a fire:
- Place grills away from any structure – home, garage, deck railings and out from under eaves or branches. We suggest using the grill in the driveway or on a stone patio.
- Keep the grill clean – use a grill brush to remove grease and food drippings, and routinely remove buildup of ashes and other debris below the grill grates.
- Allow grill and charcoal coals to cool completely before removing them from the grill either by shopvac or metal scoop, and store discarded material in a metal container with a lid. NEVER put hot or warm ashes, coals or embers into a plastic or wooden container.
- Check your gas grill tanks and hose for leaks. DO NOT USE if a leak is suspected or observed.
- Did you know? Check out these stats from our friends at the NFPA:
Click here for more grilling safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.
Related posts from our loss prevention blog: Tips for Summer BBQ Safety
