May - Grilling Safety

  • Published
  • By National Fire Prevention Association
  • 17th Training Wing Safety
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips for safe grilling.

Safety Tips:

- Propane and charcoal barbecue grills should only be used outdoors.
- The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under leaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Keep the grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Never leave the grill unattended.
- Always make sure the gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Charcoal Grills:
- There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
- Only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
- Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
- There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
- When finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

Propane grills:
- Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If the grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
- If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.

Facts:
- July is the peak month for grill fires.
- Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org/education

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Goodfellow Air Force Base, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external Website, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the Website.