Avoid Disaster! SERVPRO Offers Fire Safety Tips for Your BBQ Grilling This Summer

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

SUMMER IS HERE!!! Time to crank up that barbeque grill! Keep in mind, however, that a grill can be a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Placed too close to other flammable objects, they can become an ignition source resulting in a deck or house fire or wildfire. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

SAFETY TIPS

• Only use propane and charcoal BBQ grills outdoors.
• Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Children and pets should be kept at least three feet away from the grill.
• Your grill should be kept clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave a grill unattended—they can flare up in an instant.
• Before lighting it, always make sure your gas grill lid is open.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

• There are several ways to prepare the charcoal. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids directly to the fire. Do not EVER use gasoline.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord that is rated for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposal—always dispose of them in a metal container.
• Keep charcoal fluid away from heat sources an out of the reach of children.

PROPANE GRILLS

• Before using it for the first time each year, always check the gas tank hose for leaks. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If you can smell gas, and/or if the “soapy bubble test” is actively releasing bubbles, your grill has a gas leak. If there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, clear the area and call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

We at SERVPRO hope these tips help you enjoy a safe, disaster-free summer and beyond. Restoration after smoke, fire and water disasters may be our specialty, but we don’t wish them upon anyone. But if they occur, SERVPRO is ready for whatever happens, 24/7.