Grilling out is a favorite summertime ritual.
Fire just seems to make food taste better. But you also have to be careful when you’re cooking out, and I’m not just talking about making sure you don’t burn your burgers.
Every year, grill fires result in nearly $27 million in property losses, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In addition, grilling negligence or defective grills causes dozens of serious injuries every year.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also warns that about 600 fires or explosions involving gas grills are reported each year, injuring about 30 people.
Charcoal grill users should also beware: About 30 people die and 100 are injured nationwide as a result of carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis used inside.
Don’t add to the statistics this summer.
The following are safety tips from the experts.
When using a charcoal grills:
Never use a charcoal grill inside a home, garage, vehicle, tent, camper or any other permanent or temporary structure. The only safe place to grill is outside.
Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes, and tie your hair back if it’s long.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Set up the grill on level ground several feet away from your house or garage.
Never leave a hot grill unattended. Keep children and pets far away from a hot grill.
Don’t add lighter fluid to coals that are already burning.
Never use gasoline or kerosene to light charcoal
If you have a gas grill:
Never use a gas grill inside a home, garage, vehicle, tent, camper or any other permanent or temporary structure. The only safe place to grill is outside.
Check hoses for cracking, holes, leaks or brittleness. Also make sure all tubes leading into the burner are not blocked by grease or insects. If you find a leak, turn off the gas and don’t light the grill until the leak is fixed.
Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can’t move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
Keep propane gas containers upright.
Never use or store flammable liquids such as gasoline near the grill.
Never store a filled container in a car trunk or inside a hot car – the gas expands in the heat and could escape through the relief valve.
Always keeps children and pets away from a hot grill.
For more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on Products Liability.
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