Important Reminders on How to Stay Safe While Grilling

July is the peak month for grilling fires, followed by August. Whether you have a gas/propane grill, hibachi, or charcoal grill, here are some easy safety tips to keep in mind.

Three out of five households own a gas grill – and gas grills are the chief culprit in home grilling fires. But here are simple suggestions worth passing along for all types of grills for the grillmaster in your yard. They are brought to you by the professionals at SERVPRO -- local fire and disaster remediation specialists.

FOR ALL GRILLS:

* Keep your grill away from your home or deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
* Social-distance your kids and pets! Keep them at least three feet away from the grill area. And NEVER LEAVE YOUR GRILL UNATTENDED.
* Keep your grill clean. Remove grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. Always make sure your gas grill lid is OPEN before lighting it.

Propane Grills

* Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
* If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. DO NOT MOVE THE GRILL.
* If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least FIVE MINUTES before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

* A charcoal chimney starter uses newspaper as a fuel to start the charcoal. If you use a starter fluid instead, use only CHARCOAL starter fluid. If you choose an electric charcoal starter, make sure to use an extension cord that is specified FOR OUTDOOR USE.
* Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
* When you are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before transferring them to a metal container for disposal.

Founded in 1967, SERVPRO is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,800 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. SERVPRO has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. CLICK HERE for more info.