Barbeque Grilling Safety

The weather is turning warm so thoughts are turning to America’s favorite pass time, outdoor grilling. Firing up the barbeque grill and cooking hamburgers, chicken, steaks, fish, ribs and vegetables for your family and friends to enjoy can be such fun and the food is delicious. However, it is important to follow grilling safety tips to ensure safety of the cook and surrounding people and buildings.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 2,900 structure fires and 5,000 outside fires. These 7,900 fires caused annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 120 reported injuries and $80 million in direct property damage.

Although gas grills are used roughly 1.5 times as often as charcoal grills, they were involved in five times as many fires. Gas grills were involved in 6,400 home fires, including 2,100 structure fires and 4,300 outdoor fires.

One-third (33%) of the home structure fires involving grills started on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch, 18% started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, and 11% started on an exterior wall surface.

Flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires. In 51% of the home outdoor fires in which grills were involved, 56% of the outside gas grills, and 29% of the non-confined gas grill structure fires, the fire started when a flammable or combustible gas or liquid caught fire.
In order to stay safe, the National Fire Protection Association provides these easy steps to take. You can download these grilling safety tips here.

Grilling is a simple way to cook those outdoor meals that taste so good. Just follow these tips and use common sense and you will be able to enjoy the experience and most importantly the food.

Modified from National Fire Protection Association