Summer Safety

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Tips to prevent house fires while grilling.

1. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. This includes portions attached to your house like carports, garages and porches. Grills should not be used underneath wooden overhangs either.

2. Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.

3. Check for gas leaks. You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

4. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

5. Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill. And KNOW HOW TO USE IT. If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don't waste time fiddling with it before calling 911. Firefighters say many fire deaths occur when people try to fight a fire themselves instead of calling for expert help and letting the fire department do its job.

Don't -

7. Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER do this. It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face. 

8. Leave a grill unattended. 

9. Use a grill indoors. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. NOT TRUE. 

In case the you experience a house fire, call your local fire department immediately. Be sure to contact a  fire damage restoration company to cleanup and repair any damage to your home occurs.