Grilling safety 101 at your Kingston/New Paltz barbecue

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Keep yourself and the family in the know about grilling safety this Ulster County barbecue season!

The weather is getting warmer, the Hudson Valley is finally getting breaks from this incessant rain and more people are using their grills….and the incidences of grill-caused fires goes up.

Outdoor grilling causes an average of 8,900 home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The association adds that gas grills cause more home fires than charcoal grills as most of the public, about 64% of households, owns gas grills.

No matter the type of grill you own, here are some important BBQ safety tips that will keep you and your home safe for barbecuing season:

-Check for propane leaks on your gas grill. You can try a soap and water solution on the hose to check for leaks when the gas is on (it will bubble where the leak is), or you might smell gas near the barbecue or you might have a flame that just won’t light.

-Grill away from any structures. Gas and charcoal grills are made for outdoor use only but more than 25% of home fires start on a balcony or open porch. Even when you’re done cooking, a grill is still a fire hazard, don’t relocate the grill near your home. Never leave your grill unattended and don’t try to move it when it’s hot or still lit. A grill will stay hot for at least an hour after use.

-Take care with charcoal starter fluid, if you use a charcoal grill, only use charcoal starter fluid. If the fire starts to go out, don’t add any starter fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. 

-Keep your grill on a stable, flat surface and make sure it can’t be tipped over.

-If the flame goes out on your gas grill, turn everything off, wait 5 minutes and re-light it.

-Keep your grill clean. Remove grease or fat build-up often.

-Always keep baking soda and a fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies. Baking soda will help control a grease fire, never use water to put out a grease fire.

Accidents happen, but it's smart to know about grilling safety ahead of time to help decrease the chances of a fire. SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz is here for your emergency 24/7.