Part of what we do at FrankCrum is helping you make sure that your business is a safe working environment for you and your employees. But we’d like to remind you that safety is important all of the time, even when work is the last thing on your mind.
As we approach the July 4th holiday, many of us are looking forward to getting together with family and friends to share a meal cooked on the grill. As you do, please keep the following in mind according to the National Fire Prevention Association:
- From 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 156,600 home structure fires in which cooking equipment was involved.
- Together, these fires caused an average of 400 deaths, 5,080 fire injuries, and $853 million in direct property damage per year.
- Overall, these incidents accounted for two of every five reported home fires (43%) and reported home fire injuries (38%), 16% of home fire deaths, and 12% of the direct property damage resulting from home fires.
When planning to use your grill, it's important to use the following preventative measures:
- Keep your grill a safe distance from a house, structure, or vehicle.
- Clear the clutter away from the grilling area to prevent slips, trips and falls.
- Start out with a clean grilling surface - grease along with left over build-up from last weekend can cause serious issues.
- Make sure that your grease pan is emptied prior to starting the grill.
- Understand your grill and know how to start it. If you have a charcoal grill always use recommended starter fluid or electric starter. Never use gasoline!
- Know where the gas shutoff is located. If there is a fire in the grill itself, turn off the gas and close the grill lid.
- Use grilling gloves and grill utensils to keep your hands away from the heat.
- If your grill is on fire, don't move it. Movement supplies oxygen to the fire and will cause your fire to burn hotter. Movement of course is also a bad idea considering the instability of the grill and surrounding surface.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance from the grill, even after the cooking is over. The grill will remain hot for some time afterward.
- Have a fire extinguisher available at the house.
If you’re using a propane grill, consider the following:
Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
Have a safe and happy Independence Day!