According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 7,000 grill fires requiring fire department response in the United States each year. Of these fires, six out of every seven are caused by gas grills. By following a few simple guidelines for gas barbecue grill safety, you and your family can enjoy a fun, safe summer.
- Prepare Your Equipment: At the start of each grilling season, check hoses, connectors and other equipment for leaks. Breaks and leaks in hoses are a major contributor to gas grill fires and explosions. Using a soap and water solution, apply a thin coating to hoses and connections to check for leaks. The soap in the solution will cause bubbles to appear where there is leaking propane. Make sure your grill is clean by removing excess fat buildup from the grates and pans. Check your liquid propane tanks for dents or gauges. Do not use damaged tanks, and never overfill them.
- Location, Location, Location: To prevent accidents, keep children, pets and play equipment away from the grilling area. Always grill on a flat, open surface at least ten feet from your home, garage, deck, overhanging branches or outdoor furniture. Never grill on a balcony or in a garage, where carbon monoxide, fumes and heat can build and create deadly conditions.
- Always open the lid when lighting your grill. With the grill lid closed, the accumulation of gas can ignite when you light the grill, resulting a fireball or explosion that blows off the lid. After you’ve finished grilling, be sure to turn off the barbecue burners as well as the valve on the propane tank.
- Be Good to Your Food: When it’s time to get grilling, give your food lots of space. Food that is crowded too closely on a grill creates a buildup of dripping fat on the burners, potentially causing flare-ups and fires. Keep a spray bottle or a small bucket of water on hand to quickly snuff out flare-ups.
At Atkinson Petruska Kozma Hart & Couture, we want you and your family to safely enjoy the best of summer in Northern Michigan. For more than 35 years, we have provided comprehensive, caring legal services to individuals and families throughout northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. We advocate for the rights of injury victims and are passionate about bringing your case to its best possible outcome. Call us today at 1.877.732.2491 to learn more about how our attorneys can help with your injury case or any legal needs.