Grilling is an American favorite. But if you’re not careful, it can be a fire hazard.
Read through these safety tips from SafeKids Worldwide:
- Designate the grilling area a “No Play Zone” – keep the kids and pets well away until grill equipment is completely cool.
- Stay by the grill and pay attention while you’re cooking. This will help enforce the No Play Zone early on in the grilling season, too.
- Before cooking, position your grill at least 10 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
- Only use starter fluid made for BBQ grills to start the coals in a charcoal grill.
- Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking. Never use a match to check for leaks. Rub the hose line with a liquid dishwashing-and-water solution. If you see any bubbles or detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.
- Never bring a barbecue grill indoors or into any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.
WHN Reader TIP – Clean Up Safely: “Cleaning up after grilling? Don’t put the coals in a paper or plastic bag. It’s a major fire hazard. No matter how cool you think the coals are, they’re not. I did this, the bag caught fire and nearly set my porch on fire.” The reader requested his name not be used since he still lives in the apartment and wasn’t caught.
Want more? Read our Top 10 Cooking Safety Tips from grillers and firefighters.
WHN Expert Tip – Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy: Know what type you need and how to use it. In these two videos, Edina, MN Fire Marshall Tom Jenson covers both points.
Happy Grilling!
Photo Credit: Pexels