There's nothing quite like a cookout with your closest friends and family. When the weather's warm, the grill is hot! Thousands of families across the country enjoy grilling steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers and many other kinds of food at home.
Unfortunately, grills can be an incident waiting to happen if the right precautions aren’t taken. According to the National Fire Protection Association each year an average of 10,200 home fires are caused by some form of grilling. Knowing that, let’s not let that home be yours!
We are here to help all the grill masters out there with these safety measures for outdoor grilling so your cookout is nothing more than good food and fun with your loved ones.
General Outdoor Grill Safety Tips:
Grills should only be used outside.
Keep your grill on an open, level surface away from your home, any other structure with an overhang and any outdoor decor such as furniture or umbrellas. Also avoid placing your grill underneath a tree.
Regularly clean your grill and the tray below it to prevent fat and grease from building up.
Have a spray bottle full of water handy for minor flares.
Place a fire extinguisher nearby.
Always be aware of children and pets in the grilling area.
Wear appropriate clothing while grilling - nothing you wear should hang over the grill.
Never leave a lit grill unattended.
Remember, your grill could still be hot after you're finished cooking, so it's important that everyone around the grilling area is aware of that and takes the proper precautions. Additionally, charcoal and gas grills each have unique safety precautions.
Here are some safety guidelines for different types of grills:
Charcoal Grills
Before using, check your grill for damage or open areas that might allow coal to fall out of the grill.
Be aware of the different methods of starting your grill which may include charcoal starter fluid, a charcoal chimney starter or an electric charcoal starter.
Never add starter fluid to coal that has already been lit.1
Add more coal if needed but avoid adding liquid fuel to a lit grill.
After you're finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.1
Gas Grills
Store your gas grill and propane tank outside, away from your home.
Each year check for propane leaks before using your grill for the first time.2 (Check your propane tank and the gas hose routinely.)
Refrain from turning on the gas while the grill lid is closed.3
If the flame goes out while you're using it, turn the grill and the gas off, then wait at least 5 minutes before relighting it.3
If you smell gas while the grill is on, turn off the gas tank and the burners. If the smell continues, move away from the grill and call the fire department immediately.
Completely close the gas valve on the tank when you're done grilling.
Now that you have the tips to keep your friends, family and home safe, it’s time to get those hamburgers and hotdogs ready! Let HomeFirst® help you stay safe with other tips on fire safety and ways to make sure you’re always prepared.
1 "Consumer Information." HPBA. Accessed June 19, 2019. https://www.hpba.org/Consumer-Information/Barbecue-Outdoor-Living/Grill-Safety/Charcoal-Grill.
2 "CPSC Releases Grill Safety Tips." U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. August 23, 2016. Accessed June 19, 2019. https://www.cpsc.gov/content/cpsc-releases-grill-safety-tips.
3 "Consumer Information." HPBA. Accessed June 19, 2019. https://www.hpba.org/Consumer-Information/Barbecue-Outdoor-Living/Grill-Safety/Gas-Grill.