Grilling Safety Tips, Courtesy of Springfield Fire Department

The Springfield Fire Department offered the following information on grilling safety:

"Summer can be the time of year when memories are made. Unfortunately for some people, an accident during a family cookout can be memorable for the wrong reason.

Each year, fire departments nationally respond to an average of 7,900 fires involving cooking grills. Nearly 3,000 of those fires spread to a nearby structure. Grill fires have caused an annual average of 10 deaths, 120 reported injuries, and $80 million in direct property damage. In half of the home fires caused by a grill, 86% of the time, the fire started when either the flammable or combustible gas or liquid propane caught fire.

One-third of the structure fires involving grills started on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch, which is why for people living in multiple residential properties (multi-family homes, apartments and condominiums), open flame cooking devices are prohibited for use on balconies. They are also prohibited within any interior spaces, within 5 feet of combustible exterior walls or openings in exterior walls (doors and windows), and under any building overhangs. Portable LP-gas grills shall not be stored indoors or within 5 feet of combustible portions of the building. 

Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Keep children and pets away from the grill area. Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and in the tray below the grill. Never leave your grill unattended. 

There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord rated for outdoor use. If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add any flammable liquids to an existing fire and keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing of them in a metal container. 

Although gas grills are used roughly 1.5 times as often as charcoal grills, they were involved in five times as many fires. Each year you should check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose before turning it on. A propane leak in the hose will cause soap bubbles. If your grill has a propane gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the grill and the gas tank. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If your grill is natural gas, turn off the grill and the pipe running to the hose. If you smell gas while cooking, turn off the grill and immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill. 

If your grill does catch fire, turn off the gas, do not pour water (or any other liquid!) on a grease fire, keep the lid closed to deprive the fire of oxygen, and call the fire department. We’ll do our best to save your barbeque."