As summer 2024 gets closer and closer, you are probably excited about the possibility of pulling out your grill and hosting family barbecues. However, before you start prepping for these family parties, it is important that you know how to avoid unexpected house fires by grilling unsafely. If you have never grilled before, there are many grill safety tips you should follow to keep your home and loved ones safe.
At Liberty Restoration, we understand how much of a fire risk your grill can pose to your home if you aren’t careful. If you want to grill this summer but also want to follow as many grill safety tips as possible to keep yourself safe from fires, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
Do Grills Really Pose a Fire Risk?
How much of a risk can your grill really pose to your home? If you use open-flame gas stoves every day, then you might not think that your gas grill is much different. However, gas grills contribute to almost 9,000 house fires every year. But gas grills aren’t the only risk to your home. Charcoal grills and grills with other fuel sources contribute to an additional 1,300 house fires a year. While this number may seem minimal, the risk of starting a house fire isn’t worth ignoring grill safety tips. To safely operate your grill this summer, make sure to follow these tips.
Grill Safety Tip #1: Choose the Right Location
One of the most important grill safety tips is to select an appropriate location for your grill. You should ensure that it is at least ten feet away from any structures, including your home, garage, or large bushes or trees. It should also be far away from furniture, decorations, or propane tanks. Wherever you choose to position your grill should also be on a stable surface, preferably concrete, and ensure it is positioned on level ground to prevent tipping over.
Grill Safety Tip #2: Inspect Your Grill Regularly
Before each use, it is important that you inspect your grill for any signs of damage. Some common forms of damage may include rusting, cracking, or loose fittings. You should also inspect the gas connections for signs of leaks by applying a soap and water solution. If there is a leak in the grill’s gas line, bubbles will form at the site of the leak. If there is a hole in the line, it is important that you replace the line as soon as possible to avoid exposure to leaking gas, which could result in a fire.
Grill Safety Tip #3: Never Leave It Unattended
If you want to operate your safely and avoid unintentional house fires, it is important that you never leave it unattended. Keeping a watchful eye on your grill is especially important if there are children or pets nearby who may unintentionally knock it over. If you need to step away from your grill for a moment, it is important that you assign someone to monitor the grill when you’re not within sight. This ensures that the open flame is never left unattended and that your home and loved ones are safe.
Grill Safety Tip #4: Use Proper Lighting Techniques
When you light your grill, it is important that you do so as safely as possible. If you are using a gas grill, make sure to keep the lid to your grill open before igniting it. If the flame goes out at any point, turn off the gas and wait at least five minutes before reigniting. If you are lighting a charcoal grill, only use charcoal starter fluid and never add more once the fire has started. It is also important that you keep all flammable materials, including your lighter fluid and matches, away from your grill and out of reach out children.
Grill Safety Tip #5: Extinguish Flames Properly
Once you are done using your grill, it is important that you address the flames as quickly as possible. If you experience a flare-up, keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby to quickly extinguish the flames. If you are using a charcoal grill, you should always allow the coals to cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container. Failing to address all flammable materials, you may accidentally start a fire when you’ve turned your back.
Grill Safety Tip #6: Clean Your Grill Often
Proper maintenance is a key part of ensuring your grill operates safely. You should clean your grill regularly to prevent the buildup of grease, which can ignite and cause fires. To properly clean your grill, start by igniting it. Wait 30 minutes for the grill to reach extreme temperatures to help loosen stuck-on food. Then, dip a wire brush in warm, soapy water and carefully brush it across the surface of your grill to remove any remaining food or grease.
Grill Safety Tip #7: Keep a Fire Extinguisher On Hand
While you may do everything in your power to grill safely, accidents can still happen. If you want to keep your home safe from fires, it is important to keep a fire extinguisher nearby and that you know how to use it in case of emergencies. It is also important that your extinguisher is rated for use on grease fires and is inspected regularly to ensure it is working properly. This will keep you safe in the result of unexpected fires.
Recover from Unexpected House Fires
If you have followed all of the grill safety tips above and have still experienced a house fire, it is important that you reach out to a trusted restoration company, like our team at Liberty Restoration, as soon as possible. With years of experience helping home and business owners across Utah recover from home fires, we’re confident that we can do the same for you.
In addition to our fire restoration services, we provide homeowners and businesses with water damage restoration, asbestos abatement, biohazard cleanup, and much more. If you are looking for support as you recover from a house fire and would like to speak to a member of our team, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.