Barbecuing with friends and family is a great way to relax and enjoy the summer weather. However, grill fires cause more than 7,000 injuries each year in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A grill fire can cause extensive property damage, as well as serious injuries. That is why it is important to exercise caution when using your grill, and to take steps to reduce your risk of a fire.
In order to increase your safety while barbecuing this summer, you should:
- Keep the grill away from any structures. The NFPA recommends keeping your grill a minimum of 10 feet away from your home. This rule also applies to other structures, such as carports, garages, porches, and overhangs. In addition, you need to keep all decorations, trees, and shrubbery away from your grill. A flare-up could ignite nearby objects, and it is important to keep your barbecue in an isolated area.
- Clean the grill before use. The first time you get your grill out for the summer, it is important to inspect and clean it thoroughly to remove cobwebs, bird nests, and other debris that may have gotten into it during winter storage. Furthermore, you should use a brush to clean the grill before each use. This will remove hardened grease, which will help reduce the risk of a flare-up.
- Inspect for any gas leaks. It is also important to conduct a gas leak check before each use. In order to do this, you need to mix some dish soap with water, and brush or spray the solution onto the gas hose and connections. Then turn on the gas. If bubbles form, there is a leak. Turn off the gas, tighten the connections or replace the hose, and check once more to ensure there are no gas leaks before you start the grill.
- Monitor the grill at all times. While cooking, it is important to stay with your grill at all times. A grill fire can grow to double its size every minute. That is why you need to monitor it at all times. Before grilling, make sure all your food is prepared so you can stay with the grill while it is in use.
- Have a fire extinguisher and water spray bottle close by. While barbecuing, it is important to have a fire extinguisher on hand, and to know how to use it properly. You may also want to keep a spray bottle of water close by so you can put out any small flare-ups without harming the food.
Injured on Someone Else’s Property? Call Our Brooklyn Personal Injury Attorneys Today at (718) 690-3132.
Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices provides efficient representation to clients who have been injured by the negligence or recklessness of others. Whether you were injured in a grill fire or another dangerous condition on someone else’s property, our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers can help you seek justice from those responsible. We will gather evidence, help you file a claim, and represent you tenaciously every step of the way.
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