Before You Grill, Know the Drill

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), July is the peak month for grilling fires, followed by June, May, and August. Annually, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 10,200 home fires each year involving grills, hibachis, or barbeques. With the summer season fast approaching, David Kurzontkowski of SERVPRO^® of Framingham, a fire and water damage cleanup specialist in the Framingham area, urges homeowners to check the readiness of their outdoor cooking equipment – like grills and propane tanks – to help ensure summer cooking fires don’t become house fires.

“The NFPA reports that seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. has a grill or a smoker,” said Kurzontkowski. “That statistic really highlights the risk that homeowners face of experiencing a home fire caused by grilling and other open flame cooking. It’s important to take some basic safety steps to help ensure you’ll spend your summer enjoying friends and family and not dealing with the aftermath of a grill-related house fire.”

Propane Grills

1. Check for leaks in the gas tank hose before using your grill.
2. Open gas grill top before lighting the grill.
3. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least five minutes before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

1. Use only charcoal starter fluid or opt for a charcoal chimney or electric starter.
2. Never add charcoal starter fluid, or any flammable fluid, to the fire.
3. Dispose of coals in a metal container after the coals have cooled completely.