Safe summer grilling tips

  • Published
  • By National Fire Protection Association
  • National Fire Protection Association
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the warming weather, more people will take to their backyards looking for the perfect grilled steak. Follow these quick tips and rules of grilling safety to avoid injury or losing your home:

Home fires involving grills

From 2003 to 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 an annual average of 10 civilian deaths (to the nearest ten), 120 reported injuries and $80 million in direct property damage. June and July are the peak months for grill fires, but these incidents occur throughout the year. Almost all the losses occurred in structure fires.

Gas vs. solid-fueled grills

81 percent of the grills were fueled by gas and 16 percent used charcoal or other solid fuel.
  • Gas grills were involved in 6,400 home fires, including 2,100 structure fires and 4,300 outdoor fires. The leading contributing factor to gas grill fires was due to either a leak or a break.
  • Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300 home fires, including 600 structure fires and 600 outside fires. The leading cause was flammable items being too close to the grill.

Although gas grills are used roughly 1.5 times as often as charcoal grills, they were involved in five times as many fires.

Emergency room visits due to grills

In 2007, 18,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. Roughly half of the injuries were thermal burns.
  • Children under five accounted for roughly one-quarter of the thermal grill burns. These were typically contact burns rather than flame burns.
  • Roughly one-third of the gas grill injuries were burns incurred while lighting the grill.
  • Gasoline or lighter fluid was a factor in roughly one-quarter of the charcoal or wood burning grill burns.
Safety Tips

  • Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Maintain safe distance from lawn games and play areas.
  • Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
  • High-risk times for gas grills are when you first use one that has been left idle or just after you refill and reattach the grill's gas container. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions when connecting or disconnecting liquefied petroleum gas containers.
  • Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
  • Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can't move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
  • Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.
Follow these tips to have a safe, enjoyable, grilling experience.