When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of sumptuous food on the grill. For everything from onions and sausage to juicy hamburgers, and even pizza, grills are a mainstay at most homes. In fact, three out of five households own a gas grill, which translates to a lot of tasty meals in the months ahead. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires. One of every six home structure fires involving grills started because something that could catch fire, like a dish towel, oven mitt, or food packaging, was too close to the heat.
This may sound scary, but preventing grill fires is not as hard as you think. All it takes is a little preplanning. By following a few simple summer safety precautions and guidelines, you can enjoy delicious grilled meals all season long. As you prepare to light up your grill, consider the following:
– Use propane and charcoal grills outdoors only and not on decks
– Place the grill well away from your home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
– Put safety rules for kids in place. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
– Clean your grill often, removing any grease or fat buildup from the grates and in the trays below.
– Stay next to your grill at all times while cooking; never leave the area unattended.
A little safety is worth the time. Statistics from National Fire Safety Association.