Barbeque Safety Tips
Grill fires can cause significant damages. Grill safety precautionary steps can help you avoid a fire loss and damages. In this article, we’ll take you through some BBQ safety tips that can help keep you, your family, and your property safe this summer during all of your fun festivities and cookouts.
BBQ Safety Tips - Before Use
1. At the beginning of each BBQ season, review your grill manufacturer’s product maintenance recommendations and follow those recommendations. They may recommend checking your grill hoses for cracks, holes or blockages and keeping your grill hoses away from areas of potential oil/grease drippage. You can also consider calling in a professional if you’re not sure how to properly check or clean your grill for the upcoming season.
2. Look at the CPSC website to see if there has been a recall on your grill. Recalls can happen at any time, even if you’ve had your grill for a while, so it never hurts to double-check.
BBQ Safety Tips - While in Use
3. Never grill inside or in an enclosed area. Rogue flames or sparks can damage nearby structures and cause a fire. Grilling in an enclosed space can also put you at risk of a buildup of dangerous fumes.
4. Keep your barbecue a safe distance from the side of your home and other property or structures.
5. Barbecue on a level surface, like a patio or driveway. Don’t barbecue on landscaping or uneven dirt.
6. Do not turn on the gas while the grill lid is closed. This causes a buildup of gas.
7. Do not move the grill once it is lit or turned on.
8. Keep a fire extinguisher close to your grill. Everyone in your house or at the BBQ should know how to use the fire extinguisher.
9. If you don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher and there’s a fire, don’t try to learn now. Call 911 as fast as possible.
10. When starting a charcoal grill, only use a lighter fluid designed for charcoal.
11. If using charcoal briquettes, soak them with water after use to make sure they have fully cooled before discarding.
12. Never leave a grill unattended. Fires can happen quickly. Someone should always be tending to and watching the grill to best prevent and catch any possible fires.
13. Keep children and pets away from the grill.
14. Be mindful of the clothing you wear while grilling. Some clothing, like loose sleeves and aprons, can easily catch fire. Consider wearing a heavy grilling apron and oven mitts and using long grill utensils to reduce the risk of clothes catching fire.
15. Don’t put too much food on the grill at once, particularly fatty, greasy, or oily foods. If too much fat drips on the flames, it can cause a flareup.
BBQ Safety Tips - Storage
16. Clean your grill after use. Most people forget to clean their grill before use, but a buildup of grease and debris can quickly add fuel to the fire. So, clean your grill after each use to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for a mess next time you BBQ.
17. Do not store or cover your grill until it’s completely cooled.
18. Once cooled, cover your grill with the manufacturer’s recommended cover to best protect against inclement weather, debris, bugs, and more.
19. Store your propane tanks outside and away from your house if possible. Propane tanks are highly flammable, so you want to try to keep them away from your primary structure and any potential heat. When storing, ensure your tanks’ valves are firmly turned off.
With just a few BBQ safety precautions, you can have peace of mind for a fun-in-the-sun summer!
Chatting with an Insurance by the Woods agent to ensure your home is insured against losses like a grill fire. Give us a call today at 888.498.8726. or visit our website.
Source: Insuramatch