Officials offer outdoor grilling tips to prevent fires - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Officials offer outdoor grilling tips to prevent fires and injury

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By Tiersa Davis, Newsgatherer - bio | email

One resident in Huntington had a close call with their gas grill when it caught on fire Wednesday afternoon. The fire was quickly extinguished, but firefighters are on high alert for similar situations during other Independence Day celebrations.

The United States Fire Administration says that 3,800 Americans are injured by charcoal or gas grill fires each year.                

  • An estimated 5,700 grill fires occur on residential properties each year in the United States.
  • Over half (57%) of grill fires on residential properties occur in May, June, July, and August.
  • Almost half (49%) of grill fires on residential properties occur from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Thirty-two percent of grill fires on residential properties start on patios, terraces, screened-in porches, or courtyards.

Several organizations and officials have offered tips on keeping safe when using an outdoor grill.

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department offers these tips on charcoal grill safety:

  • Only perform charcoal grilling outdoors. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile liquids as a starter. 
  • Allow coals to burn out completely and let ashes cool at least 48 hours before disposing.  Dispose of cold ashes by wrapping in heavy-duty aluminum foal and placing in a non-combustible container.
  • Be sure no other combustible materials are nearby.  If you must dispose of ashes before completely cooled, place them in heavy duty foil and soak with water completely before disposing in non-combustible container.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal offers these tips when grilling out:

  • Never use a grill under a tent, canopy, or in a garage.
  • Keep recreational fires contained in a designated fire pit, outdoor fireplace or confined to seasoned hardwood in an area 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.
  • Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire - the flame can flashback into the container and explode.
  • Supervise children around outdoor grills. Establish a three-foot "safety zone" around the grill to keep both children and pets at a distance.
  • Keep a water source nearby – either a garden hose or buckets of water.
  • Leave the matches to the adults.