Let's Lower the Statistics

7/12/2019 (Permalink)

Every July, we share a blog post containing grill safety tips. Why? Because July is the peak month for grill fires!

We're sharing these facts from the National Fire Protection Association.

In 2013-2017, fire departments went to an annual average of 10,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 4,500 structure fires and 5,700 outside or unclassified fires. These fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $123 million in direct property damage.

Those numbers are scary, but we're here to share a few tips regarding charcoal grills! You can find additional information at the NFPA website. 

To start charcoal for cooking

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to ignite the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel:
• If you use a charcoal chimney, use a long match to avoid burning your fingers when lighting the paper

• If you choose to use lighter fluid, use only fluid intended for charcoal grills
• Never add charcoal starter fluid to coals or kindling that has already been ignited
• Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquid except charcoal starter or lighter fluid to start a charcoal fire

While cooking

• Place the grill well away from overhanging branches according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic
• Keep children and pets, and anything that can burn like food wrappers, an oven mitt or towel, at least 3-feet away from open flames and the grill
• Use long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames
  • Have an adult present at all times when a campfire or grill is burning. Keep the fire small and never leave a fire unattended! 

To dispose of charcoal after cooking

• Before going to sleep or leaving the area, douse the fire with water and make sure the area is cool to the touch.
• Five percent of outside or unclassified grill fires occurred in a lawn, field or open area 
• Empty the coals into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid that is used only to collect coals
  • Place the container outside and away from anything that can burn
  • Never empty coals directly into a trash can
  • Store the charcoal starter fluid out of reach of children and away from heat source

Thanks again to the NFPA for always having great resources for us to share with our followers to keep them safe. Who is ready for some summer grilling? We know that we are! 

SERVPRO of Lee County is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (334)-821-4858!