Barbecues and outdoor fires are a great way to have fun with friends and family. But they can also be dangerous if you’re not careful. According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 10,600 home fires are started by grills every year, on average, and 19,700 patients are treated in the ER per year because of injuries involving grills. With numbers like that, it’s especially important to be cautious.
The following information will help you make sure your barbecues and outdoor fires are safe, fun, and legal:
BBQ Safety
Don’t Leave The Grill Unattended
First things first: you should never leave your grill unattended. A fire can get out of control simply from a steak or chicken breast slipping through the grates and landing on the charcoal below. If you step away from your grill for just a minute, the embers from any burning food will have time to grow into flames that could easily engulf your entire grill and spread to other nearby materials like grass or wooden decks.
To prevent this from happening, give yourself plenty of time to start the fire up again before leaving it alone; if that’s not possible, consider bringing along an extra set of tools so you can clean up any stray pieces of charcoal that fall through while you’re gone.
It may sound complicated but it’s not impossible — just keep these simple tips in mind when cooking this summer!
Keep A Fire Extinguisher On Hand
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to note the type and size of fire extinguisher you have available. Are you using a multipurpose one-pound ABC model to tackle grease fires, or do you need something bigger for electrical fires?
Make sure you know where your fire extinguishers are located and how to use them — not only so that they’re accessible when needed, but also so that everyone knows where they are in case of an emergency.
Keep Your Grill Clean
Remember to clean the grill after each use. If you clean it before and after, you’ll be able to avoid some potentially dangerous situations and prolong its life.
You should also clean your grill before you store it for the season. Most grills come with a “winterizing” instruction manual that tells you how to prepare them for storage: drain any remaining liquid from the tank, remove all grates and other parts that might be damaged by moisture, and so on.
If you didn’t read this manual when you got your grill or don’t have one now, look online for more information about winterizing grills (there’s a lot of advice out there).
Beware of Hot Surfaces
Don’t touch the grill when it’s hot! Grills get hot quickly and some parts of them can reach temperatures above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius). Touching these surfaces can lead to severe burns that require medical attention.
Don’t touch the grill while wearing loose clothing or jewelry. Loose-fitting clothes can catch fire if they come in contact with something hot enough — jewelry may also ignite due to similar reasons as loose clothing. The more fabric or metal you’re wearing, the higher chance that you could get injured during an accident involving flames!
Fire Pit Safety
Never Leave The Fire Unattended
It’s very important to never leave the fire unattended. You should always be present when using a fire pit, or else you risk serious injury.
If you need to leave the area for any reason, then make sure that there are no materials that can catch on fire nearby. These could include paper plates and napkins, which can easily burn if they come into contact with too high of heat.
Also, remember to keep pets away from the area. Animals have been known to get burned by fires in addition to young children who might not understand how hot something is until it’s too late!
Never Have A Firepit In Windy Weather
Never cook or burn anything in a fire pit during windy weather. The winds can create embers that fly into the air and land on your home or other structures. These embers can cause damage and could even start a fire. If you do use a firepit during windy weather, make sure that nothing flammable is nearby.
Anytime you’re using an open flame, make sure that it doesn’t get too close to anything flammable. If possible, use a screen or other type of barrier between the open flame and anything else around it.
Always remember to keep the area clear of combustible materials. This includes camping chairs, tents, backyard playsets, and any other items that could catch fire if you have an open flame in a nearby space.
Also, keep the area clear of trees and branches. If you have trees on your property or branches overhanging where you intend to light the fire, make sure they’re at least 10 feet away from the fire itself.
Keep A Hose or Bucket Nearby
For safety reasons, you should always have a bucket of water or garden hose nearby when using your firepit. If the fire gets out of control and cannot be contained, using water is the best way to extinguish it.
Water will put out flames completely by suffocating them with moisture — however, this method must also be used with caution! It is important to know how much water should be used. A firepit should be doused with about two gallons of water for every two feet in diameter
You can also use sand or dirt if there is no water available. Do not use dirt alone because it will not completely put out an open flame — the fire will only smolder until it comes in contact again with another area of fuel nearby.
Never Use Gasoline To Start A Fire
Many people think the easiest way to start a fire is with gasoline. However, this method is not safe or recommended for camping or other outdoor activities.
Gasoline is highly flammable and can ignite easily, which can cause a fire to spread quickly and become out of control. In addition, gasoline can cause serious injury or death if it comes into contact with human skin.
Never use gasoline to start your firepit or campfire!
Have Fun And Be Safe
The most important thing is to have fun, but be safe. If you’re grilling or having a fire in your backyard, it’s important to keep these tips in mind. By following them, you’ll be enjoying your barbecue or outdoor fire without worrying about safety issues.