Summer is in full swing, and barbecue season is upon us! June and July are the most popular months to grill out in the northern hemisphere, and as such, they are also the most common months for grill fires. The local fire and security company receives more calls about grill fires during the summer than any other time of the year. Protect yourself and your family by following these grilling safety tips.
Watch your Distance.
More than half of all grill fires start on a balcony, patio or terrace. Lower your risk by moving your grill away from solid structures. Many municipalities have ordinances requiring that grills be kept at least ten to twenty feet from buildings. Following these rules allows you to put out small grill fires before they spread to solid structures and grow out of control.
Keep Track of Kids and Pets.
Children and pets should be kept at least three feet away from the grill at all times. Young children and animals may not be aware of the danger a barbecue grill presents, and they may become excited while playing and knock over the grill. Burns, other injuries, and fires that spread to other structures can result. For safety's sake, don't allow pets to approach the grill, and teach children that the area around the grill is for grown-ups only.
Keep Your Grill Clean.
Alarm systems in Hawaii are often triggered by fires in grills that have not been properly cleaned. Grease, ash and other byproducts of grilling can easily build up on the inside of the grill, and these byproducts can be highly flammable, leading to flare-ups and grill fires. They can also plug the grill's vents, which can cause the fire to appear to go out, only to flare up suddenly when the top is opened. After using your grill, clean the grate with soap and water, empty ash and coals, and check to make sure all the parts are functioning properly.
Use Grills Properly.
Charcoal and propane grills should only be used outdoors. Using these grills indoors greatly increases your risk of deadly carbon monoxide exposure, as well as increasing the likelihood that your building will burn if a grill fire starts. Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water close at hand while grilling, and never leave your grill unattended.
Use a Fire and Security Company.
In case of a grill fire, your fire department is only a phone call away. But alarm systems in Hawaii can bring help even faster by going off and automatically calling the fire department if a fire occurs. If your cell phone is not near your grill, or you are burned or otherwise injured in a grill fire, the fire department will still be notified immediately and help will be on the way before the fire gets too large to control.
Gathering with family and friends for a barbecue is one of the simple pleasures of summer. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid grill fires and other mishaps that can happen around any source of open flames. Prevention is the best cure for a situation that can quickly become too hot to handle.
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