Despite the soggy weather this weekend, many families today plan to celebrate the holiday with a barbecue. Fire prevention officials offer a few tips to keep your home and family safe.
In 2007, almost 19,000 people were seen in emergency rooms across the country for injuries related to grills, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
June and July are the peak months for grilling fires. Most fires are caused by gas-fueled grills, which typically start from a leak, according to the association’s report.
The leading cause of charcoal-grill fires is keeping the grill too close to something that can burn.
When it comes to charcoal grills, many fires start when someone is cleaning the grill, said Leslie Hynes, a spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 1.
“Even coals that are cool to the touch sometimes can have heat inside the charcoal,” she said. “We’ve had house fires start that way.”
The best way to dispose of the coals is to put them in a metal container, preferably with a lid, and away from the house or anything that can burn, Hynes said.
Never burn charcoal indoors, in a tent or a camper. Keep charcoal fluid out of kids’ reach and away from heat sources.
If you have a gas grill, check hoses for cracking, leaks and holes. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. If you find a leak, turn off the grill immediately and don’t light it until the leak is fixed.
Katya Yefimova; 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
Tips for safe grilling
Watch a video on grilling safety at http://tinyurl.com/grillsafe.
More tips:
Keep children and pets away from the grill.
Keep the grill clean by removing grease buildup.
Never leave the lighted grill unattended.
Keep lighted cigarettes, matches or open flames away from the grill.
Source: www.safekids.org
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