Let's Be Super Safe and Enjoy Summer BBQs!

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you live in an apartment, condo, villa, or single-family home with a large yard, it is important to understand how fire damage to home occurs due to a BBQ grill. Here's what you need to know to prevent fire damage to your property and/or rental this summer:

• Only use your propane or charcoal barbecue grills outside;
• Place your barbecue away from your house, any deck railings, and well away from any overhanging palm tree branches or other greenery in your backyard;
• Regularly remove grease and fat buildups from your grill trays and below the grill to prevent a grease fire;
• Keep children and pets "at least three feet away" from where you have set up your BBQ grill;
• Always open the lid to a propane grill before you light it; and
• Do not leave your grill unattended.

If you use a propane grill, you should heed the following advice:

• Before you use your propane grill, check the tank hose for any leaks by applying a "light soap and water solution to the hose." If you have a propane leak, the hose will release bubbles.
• In addition to the "soapy bubbles test," you might also smell gas-this can also be a sign of a leak.
• If there is no flame when you try to start your grill, turn off the gas tank and the grill immediately, because the lack of a flame can also indicate that you have a gas leak.
• If at any point you smell gas while you are barbecuing food, move away from your grill and contact your local fire department.

If you use a charcoal grill:

• Only use a charcoal starter fluid to get your grill going, and do not add additional fluid or other flammable materials once the fire has started.
• Do not allow your children to have access to the charcoal fluid.
• Allow your charcoal coals to cool completely before you dispose of them. You should always dispose of them in a metal container for safety.