With summer in total full swing grills across the nation are fired up everyday. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is recommending that grillers be mindful of safety, especially as the peak months for grilling fires, June and July, approach. While gas grills contribute to a higher number of home fires than their charcoal counterparts, all grills pose a risk for fires and burns.
Gas grills were involved in an annual average of 7,100 home fires in 2006-2010, while charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in an annual average of 1,200 home fires, according to a 2012 NFPA report on cooking fires. More than one-quarter (28 percent) of home structure grill fires started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, 28 percent started on an exterior balcony or open porch, and 6 percent started in the kitchen.
In December 2012, Hannah Storm, ESPN SportsCenter anchor, was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first and second-degree burns. According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires. Storm feels that it is “important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don’t understand the proper procedures…”
In December 2012, Hannah Storm was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first- and second-degree burns.
According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires.
Storm feels that it is “important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don’t understand the proper procedures…”
“Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications at NFPA. “Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries.”
– See more at: http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=298&itemID=18346#sthash.TS6cf6Op.dpuf
In December 2012, Hannah Storm was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first- and second-degree burns.
According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires.
Storm feels that it is “important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don’t understand the proper procedures…”
“Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications at NFPA. “Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries.”
– See more at: http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=298&itemID=18346#sthash.TS6cf6Op.dpuf
In December 2012, Hannah Storm was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first- and second-degree burns.
According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires.
Storm feels that it is “important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don’t understand the proper procedures…”
“Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications at NFPA. “Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries.”
– See more at: http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=298&itemID=18346#sthash.TS6cf6Op.dpuf
Grills should be placed well away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. If there is a fire involving grilling equipment, any fuel for the fire should not be near the home or any other structure.
Some other grilling safety tips from the NFPA are:
- Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting it.
- Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. 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 you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
- If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.
Charcoal Grills
- 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.
- If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
- Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
- There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
- When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
GIVEAWAY
At Mami of Multiples, we want everyone to be safe and free from accidental grilling fires this Summer. One person will win the following:
- A $75 cash giftcard so a fire extinguisher can be purchased as a safety precaution in the home.
Enter to win using the Rafflecopter below:
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
For more information about grilling safety, visit www.nfpa.org/grilling.
Be Safe Grilling!
Disclosure: Mami of Multiples is providing the giveaway prize. This giveaway prize is not administered or sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or its affiliates, but solely by Mami of Multiples.
I liked the post on your Facebook page.
I liked the FB post.
We are practicing the rule about never leaving your grill unattended.
To be safe, I get out of the way and let my fiance do the grilling for me! lol!
I liked your post (and page) on facebook too.
I try to grill far away from the house and definitely have been looking at a fire extinguisher. I had one in the other house but we don’t have one here.
Liked the post!
We have a small fire extinguisher at the house, just in case.
Liked the post on FB
We Use The Grill In A Safe Area Away From Flammable Items
Liked Mamiofmultiples On Facebook And Grilling Post!
Subscribed Via Email
I make sure my son isn’t near the grill while it is in use.
I liked you and this post on facebook.
We keep the kids away and keep water buy it just in case of fire.
We keep the grill far enough from the house and keep the kids away from the grill
I liked this giveaway on Facebook as Elena Istomina
I let me husband do the grilling and he is always careful to follow the proper instructions for the grill and the kids are not allowed to go near it.
I liked the grill safety post on FB (Kelly D Saver)
I liked the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/mamiofmultiples and “Liked” the Grilling Safety Tips giveaway posted on the Facebook Page
I’m an email subscriber
I liked the giveaway page on Facebook. Deb Christie
I stay safe by following directions carefully when lighting it.
Subscribed in Google Reader
Like you on fb and liked the grilling tips post (Cynthia Conley)
I have 2 fire extinguishers and I actually know how to use them. BOOM!
I already liked your page, liked comment and I am here commenting.
I liked the facebook post
email subscriber
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
We make sure that the grill is placed several feet from our back door/home and make sure that the kids don’t play around it
We keep the our gas grill in a fenced off area that is not accessible to our kids and dog.
Im an email subscriber
I liked this post on facebook
Laura Jacobson
Children are not allowed near the grill.
My hubby stays close to the grill to make sure everything is okay as we grill. thank you!
Our gas grill broke so we are using our sapphire which is pretty safe
Liked the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page and “Liked” the Grilling Safety Tips giveaway posted on the Facebook Page Rosanne Morrison
My husband does it far away from the house trying to be safe.
FB page and post liked.
We keep baking soda nearby for grease fires on the grill but I would much rather have the proper extinguisher.
Liked the page!
We always grill outside, my parents review fire safety with each of us before we cook or help grill!
We just bought a grill and I’m excited to use one again! I liked Mami and the giveaway in FB.
My husband does all the grilling and he;s very careful. And we don’t leave it unattended.
I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I like you on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson
I liked the grilling post also
we always keep it away from everything so the heat won’t affect anything around it
We keep the grill far enough from the house and keep the kids away from the grill
email subscriber
I liked the FB page and the post.
Keep grill away from flammable things as well as keep kids and pets away when in use
subscribe via email using brich22 at earthlink dot net
like you fb
Richard Hicks
we are checking for leaks every time we use the grill
I subscribe via RSS
We girll with the grill away from the house..
We have a large fire extinguisher mounted on the wall near our kitchen and the back door to the deck with grill. That way the extinguisher is accessible for both areas. I would love to have another for the upstairs, but we haven’t gotten around to it., yet.
I liked your page and liked your tips and left a comment. My name on facebook is Kimberly Hilbert
We have a fire extinguiser and keep the grill 5 feet from the house
My hubby does the grilling. We do not let the kids near the grill. We do keep a spray water bottle next to the grill.
I’m subscribed by email
We keep the grill away from any tree branches and the siding of our home.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
We always use a charcoal grill and keep a water hose handy to keep the flames from getting out of hand!
Thank you!
I subscribed by email!
I liked your Facebook Page, your Grilling Tips Post & Giveaway and commented! 🙂
We keep the grill and the propane tank a safe distance from the house.
We are careful where we place the grill and never leave it unattended.
Liked this giveaway (Ellie W)
I subscribe via Feed Demon
We keep water nearby and keep the grill far from the house.
keep the grill far enough from the house
I liked your Facebook page and liked the grilling tips and commented on it. Thank you
We are making sure that the grill is away from the house and the deck.
I am an email subscriber (vikki.billings@yahoo.com)
We don’t have the grill place right next to the house.
I liked the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page and liked the Grilling Safety Tips giveaway posted on the Facebook Page.
We don’t leave it unattended and are careful about lighting it.