SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison, Goodlettsville : BBQ Fire Safety

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

As the seasons change and the weather begins to warm up, many people opt to head outdoors and cook their meals on their BBQ grill. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) an average of 19,000 patients per year end up in the hospital because of grill-based injuries and gas and charcoal grills combined cause around 4,200 house fires and 5,600 external fires per year. Before you light your BBQ this season, read these tips that will help you focus on having a fun, great time with friends and loved ones while you maintain a safe BBQ environment.

Give your BBQ Plenty of Space

First things first with your BBQ is making sure that it’s situated in a place that far away from sheds, fences or over hangings. You should also never use a grill indoors or in tents because the heat that radiates when it’s cooking can be enough to spark a fire overhead.

Even without actually causing a fire, incorrect placement of your grill can leave unsightly scorch marks, cause damage, or worse. In a worst-case scenario, having a lit grill to close to a wall, a fence, overhanging tree branches, or under an awning can cause a fire.

Keep your BBQ Clean

Before you use your barbecue every time, be sure that it’s working properly and that your cooking site is on a flat surface. Grilling means grease and, although it’s no one’s favorite job, cleaning old grease out of your grill keeps you safer. In fact, accumulations of grease can act as additional fuel, cause sudden, dangerous flare-ups and actually account for 20% of all grill fires.

Don’t Leave your BBQ Unattended

Many people like to leave their grill unattended while the food cooks, but this can spell trouble. Leaving a BBQ unattended during use can allow a small fire to get out of control. If you’re cooking for others, try to have someone be your BBQ helper who runs for condiments, plates, etc. If there’s nobody who is able to help, make sure to prepare a station with everything that you may need so that your BBQ will be a well-oiled machine.

Who to Call for Fire Damage Restoration

Although there are many steps you can take in order to prevent fire damage from a BBQ, accidents still happen. When they do, make sure you call SERVPRO East Nashville at (615) 868-5324 for an immediate consultation. The SERVPRO team is experienced at handling all types of fire damage scenarios, helping properties get back to their original luster quickly and safely.