Bad Grilling Habits That Are Actually Fire Hazards | SERVPRO® of Houston County

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

There is nothing better than firing up the grill on a summer evening for a dinner cooked and eaten outdoors. While grilling is a great cooking method when the weather is nice, it presents special considerations that should absolutely be taken into account to prevent the risk of fire. 

Because many of us grill often, it can become so routine that it is easy to fall into bad grilling habits, which can put you at a much higher risk for a fire. Considering there are nearly 6,000 grill-related fires a year, breaking your bad habits and being fire-safe is key. 

Bad Grilling Habits That Can Lead to Fires 

Getting lax about grill cleaning. Cleaning the grill is one of the more annoying tasks regarding cooking outdoors, but it is also extremely necessary both for the quality of your food and for your safety. Not only will you be able to control the heat much easier on a grill with clean grates, but you are also clearing out all the grease and crud that has accumulated, which can quickly ignite and cause a serious fire if conditions are right. 

Using lighter fluid on a lit grill. While lighter fluid can be applied to cold charcoal coals in a pinch to expedite the starting process, you should always be extremely cautious when making use of it. Applying lighter fluid to a lit grill—even if the flame is extremely tiny—can quickly create a flare-up situation that can spread to you or anything nearby. 

Not inspecting your grill regularly. While you probably make use of your grill on a regular basis, when was the last time you made sure that everything was working properly? If you have 

a propane grill, it is important to regularly check your tank, your connectors and your lines for leaks, cracks or signs of wear. A gas leak around a lit grill can turn hazardous quickly, creating an out of control fire before you know it. 

Neglecting to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Even if you are extremely careful about grilling safety every single time you cook, accidents can still happen—and when it comes to accidents around open flames, they can be devastating. Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby when you are grilling, so if there is a flare-up, you can handle it right away and avoid further issues. 

If you have fire damage to your home—regardless of the cause—we are here to help. You can get in touch with us 24/7 for a rapid response from our expert fire technicians today.