As an experienced emergency restoration company, we’ve seen our fair share of house fires. While most house fires start from inside the home, the summertime always comes with an increase in external fires. The most common source of these fires is grills.
Grilling can be a wonderful thing, but you should always make sure you’re being safe. US fire departments respond to an average of 10,600 home-based grill fires every year. To avoid being part of this statistic, here are a few things to be aware of.
Gas is More Dangerous
While gas grills are undeniably convenient, they also pose more dangers. In fact, nearly 4 out of 5 grill fires involve gas grills. If you’re looking to be as safe as possible, you might be better off sticking with charcoal. Not only is it safer, but it tastes better.
If you do use a gas grill, make sure to be extra careful. Always check for leaks at the start of the year. Make sure you turn off the grill and close off the tank when you’re done. Check for a smell of gas before turning it on. If possible, store your grill away from your house.
For those using a charcoal grill, always make sure to extinguish the coals with water when you’re done. After that, place them in a metal container.
Keep an Extinguisher Near By
Many grill fires can be put out before causing serious damage if you have a fire extinguisher on hand. A fire extinguisher should be readily available in the vicinity of your grill. Do not place it directly next to your grill, or you may be unable to reach it when you need it.
Don’t Grill In Your Garage
When it’s raining or chilly, some people will place their grill inside of their open garage and operate it from there. This is not a good idea, even if you have the garage doors open. A sudden burst of flames could catch part of the garage, resulting in a fire. Garages also often have fumes and highly flammable materials in them.
If you cannot comfortably grill outside, you’re better off cooking your food another way.
Never Leave a Grill Unattended
Just like you should never leave the kitchen when the stove is running, you should never leave a lit grill unattended. Even if you’re just going to quickly grab something, you could become distracted, and your grill could get out of control.
Trust us when we say a house fire is a situation best left avoided. Even if the damage ends up being minimal, it’s a terrifying experience that will leave your home filled with a smokey smell. Still, accidents sometimes happen. When they do, Reliant Restoration is here for you. For fire and smoke damage restoration in the Springfield, Ohio area, contact Reliant Restoration today!