Prevent Your Cookout From Being Ruined by a Fire | SERVPRO® of Rapid City

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

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We love a summer afternoon spent outdoors followed by a meal cooked on the grill, but with the fun of mastering the grill also comes the responsibility of preventing fires. Because grilling is a common activity, it is not rare to see safety standards become relaxed with time. The best way to prevent a fire is by always being vigilant about fire safety every time you light up the grill.

Many people assume that grill fires are fairly rare, but the U.S. Fire Administration has found that over 5,000 occur annually. These fires can range from small incidents to large emergencies, so we always recommend brushing up on your safety skills before you break out the tongs.

Brushing Up on Grilling Safety Skills

Create a safe zone around your grill. Putting your grill in a spot that is convenient is typically desired, but if the convenient spot is on a wooden deck or close to your home, it can be disastrous. Experts recommend keeping at least three feet around your grill that is clear of flammable objects just in case.

Clean your grill grates often. When you clean your grill grates often, you are not only making your cooking more consistent, but you are also cutting down on your fire risk. As grease builds up on grill grates, it can be heated to hotter and hotter temperatures each time the grill is on, eventually sparking a serious grease fire. Brushing your grates off after each use is a good habit to be in for preventing this.

Never leave the grill unattended. Grills are no exception to the rule that an open flame should never be left unattended. It only takes a moment for that fire to start, and if you are nearby with a fire extinguisher in that moment, you can seriously reduce the damage that is caused. Even for a quick break, ask someone else to take over for you just in case.

Inspect the grill regularly. Even if you are using your grill regularly, there is no telling what sort of dangerous wear and tear could occur. Gas tanks, hoses and connectors can wear down in time, and if you light the grill with a gas leak present, a disaster could quickly ensue. A simple visual inspection every time you grill can seriously cut down on this risk.

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us any time, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.