Are you ready for summertime grilling? Although everyone loves a barbecue, it’s important to remember that safety comes first when you’re playing with fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that around 16,000 people are hospitalized annually due to grill-related injuries. Half of the injuries were thermal burns. The peak months for these injuries were July, May, June and August. So, to prevent these injuries, you should follow some safety tips.
Here, we discuss tips for staying safe while grilling on propane fuel.
Install a Gas Grill away from Your Home.
Always Gas Grill Install outside the back door or on the back deck, ideally against a railing for safety. You should not place your grill in these areas because it can cause a potential fire hazard. Properly positioned grills near homes or other wood structures can prevent fires by heating nearby materials. So, keep your grill at least 10 feet away from any buildings, including your home.
Keep Your Grill Clean
A pristine propane grill is more efficient and safer. Grease and leftover food particles are the main causes of hazardous flare-ups and unexpected fires. Start by removing loose food particles from grates when they’re still warm but cooled, as this is the easiest time to remove residue. To prevent overflow and potential grease fires, you can empty and clean the grease trap or collection pan.
After the end of the barbecue season, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to disassemble safe parts of the grill. This allows for more detailed attention to areas that are often overlooked but may contain a lot of grease and debris. Scrub the grates and internal surfaces with a special grill cleaner or a mild dish soap and water solution. Rinse carefully and ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembling the grill.
Put Your Propane Fuel Grill in a Safe Location
The location of your grill is perhaps the most vital factor to keep your family safe while grilling. It may be alluring to grill indoors, but it can produce carbon monoxide, which is invisible and dangerous. Instead, place your grill at least 10 feet away from your home. Never put it under overhanging objects or near lawn decorations, trees, tablecloths, or anything else that can catch fire.
Choose a flat and level surface to set up your propane fuel grill. Your propane fuel delivery system must also be designed for easy access and safe placement away from combustible materials.
Check for Propane Gas Leaks
Inspecting for gas leaks every time you disconnect and reconnect the regulator to the LP cylinder is vital. When you fire your grill, a leak in the wrong location can ignite your propane tank.
Before every use, you should visually check the hose for wear, abrasion, and leaks. A soap and water solution may help you find leaks that are too small to see with the naked eye. Never check the gas leaks with flame, as this can create the danger you’re trying to stop. If you find a leak, always fix it before using the grill again, and never assume it’s too minor to concern yourself with.