Stay Safe this Summer at the Family BBQ

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

Find more information at www.nfpa.org/grilling

Recently, while at a local park I was walking down the path looking for an open grill to toast some particularly fluffy marshmallows. Each grill I checked was already in use, full of hot dogs, hamburgers, crabs, corn, and foiled wrapped potatoes. As I discovered a new delicacy with each grill, I had two realizations. The first one was that my marshmallows were probably going to go untoasted because it looked like there were no grills left. The second was that of all of these families, I doubted that they were all fully aware and fully adhering to the safety guidelines for grilling. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, on average, 16,600 people per year visit the emergency room because of injuries involving grills. With this in mind, SERVPRO of Charlottesville would like to take some webspace today to refresh or reintroduce grill safety to help keep your home and your family safe!

Before you use your gas grill you should check for leaks and breaks in the line. Once you’re certain the grill is safe to use, move your grill away from your home or any decks or other structures that could be flammable. Low hanging tree branches or overhangs can be especially hazardous. Make sure that the grill is on a stable, flat surface. Additionally, in this step, be sure that children and pets are kept away from the grilling area. Now that your grilling space is safe, open up the grill and make sure that the inside is clean. Use a grill brush if necessary to remove grease buildup on the grate of the grill. While your grill is in use, never leave it unattended and keep a fire extinguisher on hand. With these few tips in mind, we should have a fun and safe summer!