Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs Offers Summer Grilling Safety Tips | News

Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs Offers Summer Grilling Safety Tips

Don’t let your barbeque plans go up in flames!

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs (RIAFC) is urging Rhode Islanders to take precautions during the summer grilling season.

"For many households, the return of warm weather signals the beginning of the outdoor cooking season," said RIAFC President George Farrell, chief of the Providence Fire Department. "Before people fire up the grill, we ask them to take a few moments to think about grilling safety. Doing this at the start of summer can go a long way toward limiting grill accidents."

According to Farrell, a key concern with gas or charcoal grills is inappropriate placement: he explained that more than one-third of all gas and charcoal grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.

U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 2,900 structure fires and 5,000 outside fires. These 7,900 fires caused annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 120 reported injuries and $80 million in direct property damage.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of safety while grilling,” said Farrell. “It’s easy to become preoccupied while grilling as we visit with family and friends but just that few seconds of neglect can lead to a serious fire.”

Farrell provided the following safety tips for when grilling:

 

·        Position the grill away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches;

·        Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic;

·        Keep children and pets away from the grill area; declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill;

·        Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers;

·        Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill;

·        Never dispose of charcoals from a grill until they are completely cooled. Never dump hot charcoal on the ground after use.

Also, said Farrell, gas grills should be thoroughly inspected before using for the first time each year. Check for propane cylinder hose leaks by using a light soap and water solution applied to the hose as it will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.

If you find bubbles (or if there is an odor and no flame) immediately turn off the propane tank and grill. If the leak stops after taking this step, get the grill professionally serviced. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. Also, if you smell gas while cooking, immediately step away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

"I encourage people to share these tips with family and friends and speak up if they see someone grilling unsafely," said Farrell. "We can significantly reduce the risk of serious and potentially fatal grilling injuries, but we need the public's help.”

For more grilling safety tips, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s web site at

www. nfpa.org

The Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs is a professional organization dedicated to improving efficiency, preparedness and emergency response time, to educating the public about fire safety and to providing a support system for Rhode Island fire chiefs, firefighters and emergency medical technicians in times of crisis.