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Firing Up Your Barbecue Grill Without Starting a House Fire | SERVPRO of Rapid City
8/10/2023 (Permalink)
Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of Rapid City to get your space back in shape.
We are in the heart of the summer season here in Rapid City, and we sure are enjoying it. The summer season is special in the Midwest with all of the sunny days, warm breezes and time spent outside with family and friends.
Who doesn’t love digging out their aprons and grill brushes to kickstart a backyard barbecue with hot dogs and burgers? While grilling may be a summertime favorite, grill fires are also at their peak at this point in the year.
Improper use of a charcoal or propane grill can quickly lead to a dangerous fire situation. Our SERVPRO® of Rapid City team wants you to enjoy your grilled food in a safe environment, so read on to learn more about reducing your risk of a fire.
As you dig out your grills from the garage or under the deck, be sure to set them up outside. While it may seem obvious that grills don’t belong in your kitchen, that also includes keeping them out of your garage or under an overhang. Your grill needs to properly vent and anything combustible above the heat and flames could easily catch on fire.
It should also be far away from your house and siding. Try to keep it at least 10 feet away from anything combustible, like your garage wall or wooden railing along your deck. This area should also be considered a kid-free and pet-free zone and that should be communicated to everyone in your party.
If your grilling method of choice is a charcoal grill, clean out ash buildup before each use and check the drum for dents or cracks. If you prefer propane grills, check the gas line for leaks and make sure each end has a secure connection. A leaky line on a propane tank is a huge safety hazard and could put everyone on your guest list in danger.
Once your grill is warm and ready for your meal, don’t leave it unattended for any reason, and keep a water source nearby just in case of an emergency. A spray bottle can help knock down any quick flare-ups when grease drips and your hose or fire extinguisher should be on standby.
Once your food is crispy, delicious and done, hand off the plate to someone to serve so you can focus on shutting everything down properly. Turn off the gas and shut off your burners, or close the vents on the lid of your charcoal grill to stop the flow of oxygen to the flames. Once the ash and embers have cooled, move them to a metal can to prevent anything from reigniting. Before you head inside for the evening, check on your grill once more to make sure everything is cool to the touch.
We hope you have a fabulous rest of your summer season! Remember that SERVPRO of Rapid City is always here in case any sort of fire accident occurs and you are left with home damage.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Rapid City for a fast restoration.