Grill Safety 101

Grilling is as popular as apple pie, and it is a great summertime pastime. A good old fashioned barbecue outdoors is hard to beat, at any time of the year! Grilling has its share of dangers, though, and being aware of these dangers will protect you and your family and make your grilling experiences enjoyable.

The following tips, along with common sense and a good understanding of your grill’s features and parts, will help protect you when grilling:

• Carefully read your grill’s owner’s manual and strictly adhere to manufacturer’s guidelines and warnings.
• Store and transport liquid petroleum or propane gas tanks in an upright position. Never store a spare tank near the grill, or in a hot car. Never store flammables, such as gasoline, near the grill.
• Position your grill at least 10 feet away from your house, trees or garage. Make the grilling area a “no play zone” and remind children of the dangers of grills.
• Before grilling with a gas grill, check the tank for leaks. If a leak is present, DO NOT light the grill. Instead, refer to your owner’s manual or call a certified plumber for repair.
• Check your gas grill for leaks by rubbing soapy water on the gas hose and turning on the gas. If gas is present, the soap will start to bubble. If this happens, immediately turn off the gas and refer to your owner’s manual for instruction.
• Routinely check your gas hoses for signs of wear, including brittleness, holes or cracking. Never use your gas grill if the hoses show signs of wear.
• Never attempt to repair a tank valve yourself. Instead, take it to a qualified distributor of liquid petroleum or propane tanks.
• Routinely check the tubes that lead to the burner for any blockage, as this could lead to an explosion or fire. Insects, such as spiders, often make their homes in these tubes. Food grease can also build up here. Use a pipe cleaner or a hanger to push the blockage out of the tubes.
• Never use a match to check for leaks.
• Charcoal grills produce carbon dioxide when burned. It is therefore extremely important to NEVER burn a charcoal grill inside a home, tent or camper. Do not grill inside a garage, even if the door is opened. Failure to follow these warnings could result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death.
• Only use starter fluid made for grills. Any other kind of flammable gas could cause an explosion.
• Keep a garden hose or bucked filled with water nearby.
• Never store a grill indoors if it has hot coals. Always allow coals to cool completely before storing.
• Keep any open flame, including cigarettes or matches, away from a grill.
• Routinely perform safety checks according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never attempt a gas connection by yourself if you are installing a natural gas grill. Instead, use the services of a qualified plumber.
• Safety is the most improtant element when it comes to enjoying your grill.  By taking these simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your family, as well as enjoy the delicious flavors of BBQ food for years to come!