Follow These Safety Habits to Prevent A Dangerous Grill Fire

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

Grill season lasts well into the fall, and most of us are likely making good use of our grills to cook our favorite warm-weather foods. Grilling allows you to get outside and enjoy the extra daylight summer has to offer, but they also cause many deaths and injuries as well as millions of dollars in property damage each year. No matter how frequently you use your grill, you should always practice good safety habits to avoid a fire.

Create a safe zone around your grill. While setting your grill up on your deck may be convenient, it’s not a good choice for its location. Grill fires can flare up and easily spread to surrounding property, including porches, patio railings, and decks. Grill fires can also melt vinyl siding. It’s recommended that you keep at least a three-foot safe zone around your grill at all times away from your home’s structure.

Clean your grill grates often. Food particles and fat can build up on the grill over time, creating a prime opportunity for a grease fire to break out on your grates. Giving the grill a quick brush after each use helps keep down flammable buildup.

Never leave the grill unattended. Just as you would not leave your stove top unattended, you should never walk away from a lit grill, even if the lid is down. Fires can start in an instant. As a rule, you should keep your eye on the grill at all times and keep a fire extinguisher nearby so you can immediately stop a fire from spreading if it occurs.

Inspect the grill regularly. While charcoal grills pose fewer hazards, you need to be extremely vigilant about frequently checking the gas lines of a propane grill. The seals around the propane tank and the lines that transport the gas can become worn with time and allow gas leaks that can potentially lead to dangerous explosions. If you see any signs of wear on the tank or the lines, carefully and safely replace them.

If a grill fire damages your home in Alden, Traer, Dysart, Melbourne, or anywhere in Marshall, Hardin, Grundy, or Tama County, call SERVPRO of Marshalltown at (641) 758-9746 any time, day or night. We’ll be there quickly to protect your property from further damage and restore it to its original state, “Like it never even happened.”