Prevent Fire Damage by Grilling Safely
Summertime and grilling go hand and hand. Cooking burgers, hosting barbeques, and socializing with friends are some of America's favorite past times. But it pays to be cautious when cooking on the grill. Grill fires on residential properties cause $37 million in property damage each year1. Over half of grill fires occur between the summer months of May and August, with July being the peak month2. Don't let fire damage ruin your summer. Keep safety in mind when cooking on the grill with these expert tips.
Safety Tips for Grilling
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. Make sure the grill is not placed under any wooden overhangs.
- Clean your grill regularly. Grease and fat buildup are the main source of flare-ups. Grease fires are common when cooking high-fat foods like hamburgers
- Dispose of coals from a charcoal grill in a metal container after allowing them to fully cool. Do not store the charcoal remains in a garage or shed.
- Always open the grill cover when lighting a gas grill to prevent a buildup of gas.
- Before grilling, make sure you have the appropriate fire extinguisher in the event of a grill fire. Remember, fire extinguishers should only be used when a fire is confined to a small area and not growing.
Get the Grill Ready for Cooking
- Check up- Take a look at the grill's components to make sure everything is in working order. Examine hoses for any cracks or damage. Inspect burners and their gas tubes to make sure they are not worn out or rusted.
- Cleanup- Remove grates and scrub them with a wire brush to remove burnt-on food particles. Make sure the grease tray is clean and replace the foil drip tray. This will help prevent any flare-ups and grease fires.
- Test- Once everything has been cleaned and reassembled, connect all hoses and components, and light the grill. Let the grill burn for 10-15 minutes to burn off any cleaning residue.
Taking a few simple precautions will help to keep your summer grilling season safe and fun. We hope you find these fire damage prevention tips helpful. However, if you find yourself in need of fire damage restoration experts, we are here to help. Call 800-865-5157. Our crews are available 24/7/365. We do more, so you don't have to.
Sources:
1-usfa.fema.gov
2-nfpa.org
