Summer Barbeque and Grilling Safety Tips

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

Although we might be nearing the end of August, there’s still plenty of time to have barbeques,
grilling, and other outdoor events. Of course, while these can be a good way to spend an
afternoon, they can also lead to fire damage. By following a few of our safety tips, you can keep
your summer outings fun and stress-free. And besides fire-safety, maintaining your grill can also
lead to healthier and tastier fare.
Besides the obvious, like turning the grill off and placing torches or the firepit away from
flammable objects, you can take some easy steps to prevent smoke and fire damage that could
otherwise cause lots of stress and, more importantly, harm.
Clean the grill. Sometimes it’s easy to forget cleaning the grill, but grease buildups can quickly
become major hazards. After the grill has cooled off, disassemble it and scrub the plates and
grates with soap, and then do the same with the drip pan and exterior. This will also get nasty
bits of charcoal and other remnants of celebrations passed that could add some unwanted flavors.
You really benefit on all fronts here.
Check for gas leaks. You can also check for gas leaks whenever you’re about to grill. A simple
way to do this is to cover possible leak areas (hoses and the places to which they attach) with
soapy water. Turn the grill on and see if bubbles come up in any of these places. Many factors
can lead to damages here, and often it’s easy to miss.
Keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby. This way, you can extinguish small flare ups before
they become an issue. It goes without saying that if you are proficient with one, you should also
have a fire extinguisher somewhere nearby,
Don’t turn on the gas while the lid is closed. This can cause gas to build up and explode once it’s
opened. This is not only hazardous to your property, but to you as well.
Please have fun this summer and take care to make sure a disaster doesn’t ruin an otherwise
relaxing event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact SERVPRO of Northbrook /
Wheeling / Glencoe at (847) 498-8889.