The weather is heating up and so is our desire to get out and fire up the grill. Being aware of grill safety can help protect your family and home and prevent a recipe for disaster.
Here are helpful safety tips from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) for safe grilling:
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Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. If you need to do some indoor grilling, invest in a small electric grill made specifically for indoor cooking.
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Make sure your grill is placed far enough away from anything on or around your home that might burn, including but not limited to the house itself, deck railings, overhanging eaves, tree branches, patio furniture, etc.
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Make sure to create a safety zone for pets and children so that they are at least 3 feet away from the grill.
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Clean your grill regularly of old food debris, ash and most especially grease build-up.
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Never leave the grill unattended once lit.
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If you are using a gas/propane grill, make sure to have the lid open before lighting.
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Use a chimney starter for lighting charcoal.
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If you use lighter fluid to get the fire started, NEVER add more fluid once the fire is lit. Be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets, and well away from any heat source.
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Skip the lighter fluid and use an electric charcoal starter. Be sure to use an outdoor rated electrical extension cord and make sure to unplug starter and allow to cool in a safe area once done.
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Let coals cool completely before disposing of ash and any leftover coals.
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If using propane or gas, check gas line hoses for leaks before the first use. You can use a soapy water solution applied to the hose to look for bubbles released by the leaky hose.
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If the flame of your propane/gas grill goes out, turn the grill off and wait at least 5 minutes before relighting. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill, call 911 and do NOT move the grill.
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Stay alert! Almost half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.
Information Sources:
https://foodtruckempire.com/news/bbq-grilling-industry-statistics/#us
