Grilling Safety 101: How to Prevent Grilling-Related Injuries

Are you planning to grill this summer? When compared to other cooking methods, grilling typically delivers a better flavor. It will sear the outside of food, resulting in a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Unfortunately, thousands of people are injured while grilling each year in the United States. You can still cook food using a grill, but you should consider the following safety tips to protect against injury.

Place on a Stable Surface

Before lighting your grill, find a stable surface on which to place it. If you place your grill on an uneven surface, such as a sloped hill, it may fall over. When this occurs, the hot embers could ignite grass or brush. Whether you own a charcoal or propane grill, you should place it on a flat and stable surface.

Keep Away From Your Home

In addition to placing your grill on a stable surface, you should keep it away from all your home. A good rule of thumb is to create a minimum of 10 feet of clearance between your grill and all other structures, including your home. If your grill is too close to your home, it may cause a structure fire that engulfs your home.

Avoid Starter Fluid

Avoid the temptation of using starter fluid when grilling. Starter fluid, of course, is a flammable liquid that's designed to accelerate the speed at which charcoal or wood burns. While it's easier to light a grill using starter fluid, it will increase your risk of injury. When you light the starter fluid-soaked charcoal or wood, it may create a large fireball that singes or burns your skin. Therefore, it's best to avoid using starter fluid when grilling.

Turn on Gas With Lid Open

If you have a propane grill, open the lid before turning on the gas. If the lid is closed, propane gas will build up inside of it. And when you attempt to light it, the trapped propane gas will create a large fireball.

Clean Your Grill

It's important to clean your grill on a regular basis. Over time, fat and grease will accumulate inside of your grill. If you don't clean it, these substances will pose a fire hazard. Fat and grease can ignite when exposed to heat. To make matters worse, you can't extinguish these fires with water. Water may do more harm, in fact, by making the fat or grease fire bigger. For safe grilling, clean the interior and exterior of your grill on a regular basis.