Homeowners Insurance Information

Grilling Safety

Sometimes an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. Each year, Americans enjoy more than three billion barbecues, and because it’s such a widely enjoyed pastime, it’s easy to forget that the good times can turn dangerous.

The next time you grill, remember the following tips to make your experience safer:

1. When ready to barbecue, protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm.
2. With gas grills, make sure the gas cylinder is always stored outside and away from your house. Make sure the valves are turned off when you are not using them. Check regularly for leaks in the connections using a soap and water mix that will show bubbles where gas escapes.
3. Barbecue grills should be kept on a level surface away from the house, garage, landscaping, and most of all, children.
4. For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for those grills, use them in limited amounts. Never use gasoline or other flammables. If the fire is too slow, rekindle with dry kindling, such as newspaper or small twigs; only add more charcoal if necessary. After the fire is lit, DO NOT add more liquid fuel; doing so could spark a flash fire.
5. Be sure to soak the coals with water in order to let them smolder out before putting them in the trash.
6. Always remember that grills remain hot long after you’ve finished barbecuing.

In Case of an Emergency

If you get burned while barbecuing, make sure to run cool water over the injury for 10–15 minutes. Never put butter or salve on burns because they could seal in the heat and cause further blistering. If the burn is more serious, seek medical attention immediately.

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Information provided with permission from the Insurance Information Institute, Inc.