Preventing Fire Damage from a Barbecue Grill

Tips For Barbeque Fire Prevention

There is nothing quite like having your friends and family over for a summer BBQ cookout. The kids are playing, everybody is having fun and laughing, and the food is almost always a 10/10. However, as soon as the fire under the grill spreads to something that is not supposed to be on fire, things can take a turn real fast. When grilling, it is important to practice disaster prevention and be sure you know how to operate a grill.

To ensure your BBQ cookout doesn’t take a turn for the worst, follow these tips:

-Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.

-The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under hanging flowers and overhanging branches.

-Keep children and pets away from the grill area.

-Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.

-Never leave your grill unattended.

Before you use your grill:

-Check the major connection points between the gas (propane) tank hose and the regulator and cylinder, and where the hose connects to the burners and ensure its tightened and ready to go.

-Check the gas (propane) tank hose for the potential (gas) leaks. To do that:

• Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or spray bottle.
• Turn the propane tank on. If there is a gas leak, the propane will be released and create a substantial amount of bubbles around the propane hose.

If there are no bubbles, your grill is safe to use!

If there are bubbles, turn off the tank and check the connections, then have your grill serviced by a professional before using it again. Using a grill with a gas leak is extremely dangerous. If after you have shut your grill off and the leak still doesn’t stop, call the fire department immediately.

When the grill is on:

As you are cooking, if you smell gas, turn off the gas tank and the burners.

If the leak stops immediately, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.

If the smell continues, move away from the grill and call the fire department immediately. Be sure not to move the grill, doing so might disrupt the leak and could result in a gas fire or an explosion

Charcoal grills

There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.

If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.

Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.

There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.

When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing of in a metal container.

There is nothing quite like food hot off the grill. If you be sure to follow these tips and operate your grill correctly, your BBQ cookout will go off without a hitch. However, if disaster does strike and you find yourself with fire damage, be sure to call PCS Southern. We will get your home cleaned up and looking good as new in a flash, with no stress.