SERVPRO: Fire Safety Tips to Follow While Grilling

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Blog summary: The article by SERVPRO talks about the various steps homeowners should follow to ensure fire safety during grilling.

11 safety tips to follow while grilling

Come July, the barbeque season arrives, bringing with it the smell of delicious feasts and the sound of get-togethers. Unfortunately, it also brings a higher incidence of home fires caused by a grill or smoker. 

Statistically, July is the peak month for grill fires. From 2014-18, fire departments visited an annual average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbeques per year, including 3,900 structure fires and 4,900 outside or unclassified fires. These grill fires also cause serious thermal injuries, sending an average of 19,700 patients per year (2014-2018) to emergency rooms. SERVPRO, a fire damage restoration company, shares some tips homeowners can follow to prevent grill fires.

Things to do

1. Keep a distance: The grill must be kept at least 10 feet away or even further from the house and the attached portions such as carports, garages, and porches. Grills, both charcoal and gas, should not be used underneath wooden overhangs as the fire could flare up into the structure above. Children and pets must also stay away from the grill area.

2. Clean the grill regularly: Grease and fat from the last grilling session must be cleaned or it can become a source of flare-ups.

3. Inspect for gas leaks: A solution of half liquid dish soap and half water can be rubbed on the hoses and connections to check for leaks. Upon turning the gas on (with the grill lid open), if the soap forms large bubbles, it indicates the hose is damaged and needs to be replaced, or the connections are not tight enough.

4. Put decorations far from the grill: Decorations create a beautiful ambiance for a barbeque get together but it also provides fuel for fire. Objects like hanging baskets, pillows, and umbrellas are often made of artificial fibers, making them combust quickly. Steer clear of these objects for fire safety.  

5. Keep a spray water bottle handy: In case of a minor flare-up, a water spray can douse the fire easily without ruining the food.  

6. Learn to use a fire extinguisher: Keep a fire extinguisher close by and know how to use it. Fiddling with the extinguisher can delay the fire suppression process and prove fatal. Call the firefighters if using a fire extinguisher is unfamiliar. 

7. Use starting fluid carefully: For charcoal grills, use only charcoal starting fluid, if needed. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. The charcoal fluid must be kept out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. 

Things not to do

8. Turn on the gas with a closed grill lid: One must never make this mistake as it causes gas to build up inside the grill, and when it’s opened and lit up, it can fireball and explode in the face.

9. Leave a grill unattended: All food preparation must be done in advance before lighting up the grill. This ensures that grills are under a watchful eye at all times. 

10. Overload with food: Overloading the grill with fatty foods can lead to fat drips flaring up and out of control. Not only is overloading a fire risk, but it is also not the ideal way to cook a tasty grilled meal. 

11. Light up an indoor grill: A small indoor grill may seem safe but is actually a fire hazard because it releases carbon monoxide, a deadly colorless, odorless gas. This gas in a closed area can suffocate everyone present. 

Why SERVPRO?

• SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Lakeway / Westlake is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Lakeway, West Lake Hills, or anywhere else can quickly access the services. 

• With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.

• The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

For fire damage restoration services, in Bee Cave, TX, and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Lakeway / Westlake today at (512) 261-4790.