Fire Safety Considerations for Grilling | SERVPRO® of Anaheim Central/Garden Grove East

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

As Summer approaches, use these very helpful tips to stay and still enjoy a good BBQ.

There are few things that make it feel like summertime more than having a cookout and sharing a fresh, grilled meal with your family. While grilling is certainly one of the most fun ways to cook, it is also one of the most dangerous—and if you are neglecting safety concerns, you may quickly have a grill fire on your hands.

The reports from the U.S. Fire Administration shows just how common grill fires are—over 5,500 happen each year. A grill fire can lead to damage to your yard and your home, but you can practice grill safety to lower your chances of this occurring.

Practicing Grill Safety to Lower Your Chances of a Fire

Create a safe zone around your grill. Of course, convenience might be the factor that comes to mind when deciding where to place your grill, but do not forget about safety concerns as well. A sudden flare-up can ignite anything in its path, which is why a minimum of three feet of clearance is advised for wherever you set up your grill station.

Clean your grill grates often. The food buildup on your grill grates do more than just make cooking inconsistent—they also pose a fire hazard if they become hot enough to ignite. A simple scraping of the grates after each use is generally enough to prevent this from occurring, as it will remove any caked-on grease or crumbs that pose a hazard.

Never leave the grill unattended. Even if you need to walk away from the grill for a moment, you should always ask someone to take your place. A flare-up can happen suddenly even with the lid on, and if your back is turned, things can become catastrophic quickly. Always stay vigilant about watching the grill and keep a fire extinguisher within reach in case it is needed.

Inspect the grill regularly. Double-check your grill’s hardware every time you use it to prevent any accidents. Make sure the lid closes properly and that the connection to the gas tank is still air-tight and shows no signs of wear. Gas leaks are an extremely common cause of grill fires, so you may want to replace your hoses or connectors if issues arise

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us any time, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.