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Using Your Grill Safely | SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties to get your space back in shape.
Summer is the best time to get outdoors and enjoy your backyard morning to night. It is also the perfect time to fire up the grill and cook all your meals over the perfect flame. Before you light that flame, though, spend some time checking your equipment to make sure you can flip burgers and dogs as safely as possible.
Grills are one of the leading causes of backyard fires, and most of the time it is due to improper use. At SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties, we want you to enjoy your time in the backyard as much as possible worry-free. Keep a burger warm for us while you are at it.
While you are getting everything ready for your day outside, consider your setup to create a safe area for your grill. Grills should be in an open space, free of any overhangs. While most of us on the Cape have covered porches, your grill needs to be able to fully vent and shouldn’t have anything above that a rogue spark or overzealous flame could touch.
Another reason not to house your grill on the deck while you cook—the best place for cooking outside is at least 10 feet away from any structures. This can also allow you to create a no-kids, no-pets zone around the grill while you cook.
If you are cooking with charcoal, ashes should be cleaned out every time. Check the grill itself for holes, cracks or dents, and make sure there aren’t any buildups that could catch fire. For propane, you should check your lines and your tank before turning anything on. Make sure connections are tight and there is no sign of deterioration on the gas lines. Even a hole the size of a pin head could lead to a complete disaster.
Once you are set up and have inspected your grill for safety, it’s time to cook! Always stay close by your grill from the time it is lit until it is cool enough to touch. Keep a water source nearby in the event that your flames get too high, and make sure your fire extinguisher or a garden hose can be quickly and easily accessed.
As your food is prepared, it could be easy to walk away and show off the steaming plate of your hard work, but in order to prevent a mistake that could lead to a fire, hand off the goods and start shutting down the grill. Turn off the gas and any additional burners you might have been using, or close off vents in order to stop the oxygen supply to your charcoal.
As soon as it is cool enough to do so, remove ashes and dispose of them in a metal can. These can relight even when they aren’t glowing red anymore, so removing them from the source of heat altogether is the best way to stay safe. Stick close by the grill while it cools, and make sure it is completely cooled off before heading to bed or indoors for the evening.
Make this the summer of safety. Summer in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area brings beautiful weather, so enjoy it in your backyard while keeping your family and your home safe from fire. If things do get out of hand, SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties is available 24⁄7 to start restoration fast.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties for a fast restoration.