Remember to practice grill safety this summer so your parties can stay focused on fun without the addition of fire.
Summer is the season for barbeques, swimming pools, and block parties. This is a fun and enjoyable time, so don’t let it be ruined by poor grill safety that leads to a fire or injury.
Check For Leaks
If you have a gas grill, it’s important to practice grill safety by checking it for leaks before you begin using it. This is especially important if you’re bringing it out for the first time this year (or the first time ever), as it may have experienced damage or wear and tear that needs to be addressed. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a helpful video showing how to do this. It’s not complicated and takes only a few minutes, so don’t skip this step.
Make Sure it’s Clean
When practicing good grill safety, it’s important to clean your grill every time you use it. If you haven’t used it yet this year, you will likely need to do a deep clean to clear out bird nests, bugs, and any other outdoor debris that has made its way into your grill. These combustible materials could lead to trouble if they’re not thoroughly cleaned out, so take the time to get your grill spotless before you turn it on.
If you’ve used your grill recently, it’s still important to clean it before you use it. Many of the foods that are cooked on outdoor grills leave behind grease, fat, and other combustibles that can lead to an out-of-control fire.
Keep it Away from the House
Make sure your grill is kept well away from your house, as well as eaves, awnings, and overhanging trees. Find the clearest possible area to grill in to minimize the risk of starting an accidental fire. Your grill should have a 3-foot ‘safe zone’ around its perimeter.
Monitor Kids & Pets
Children and pets are notoriously curious, and they’re often not good at understanding the danger of grills. While grilling, make sure there are safety measures in place to protect kids and pets from injury. This can include designating people to watch them closely (no distractions!), keeping dogs on a lead while outside, or just keeping kids and pets indoors until the grill has been turned off and it’s time to eat.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.