Burgers and Hot Dogs Hot Off the Safe Grill | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
Is there a better season than summer? Especially here in Georgia, where greenery grows lush and gardens are full of beautiful colors. Even if you aren’t a fan of the high humidity that comes with a summer in Toccoa, you likely still get outside every once in a while to fire up the grill.
Grilling is a great way to feed the family without heating up the house, but when it isn’t done safely it can result in a terrible disaster. Improper use of a grill is one of the leading causes of house fires, particularly during the summer season. SERVPRO of Tri-County wants to ensure that you can eat all the burgers you want without worrying about fire.
In order to grill safely all season long, the first thing you need to do is pick the appropriate place to set up. Grills should be in an exterior, open space only. That means even when we have a rainy week in Canon, you still shouldn’t try and cook in the garage. Place your grill somewhere that is free of overhangs and low-hanging tree limbs.
You should also locate a spot that is at least 10 feet away from any structures. Create a solid radius around the grill so that sparks can’t catch anything on fire, and make sure you animals and children understand this is a zone they are not allowed in to prevent accidents.
If you are using a charcoal grill, clean it before every use. Remove ash and any other buildup, and examine the grill for holes or other signs of wear. Propane and any other kind of gas grills should also get a full inspection before use. Check to ensure connections are tight and there are no holes in the gas lines. Even a tiny hole can result in disaster.
Once you have your setup ready, take the time to get your supplies ready. Keep a squirt bottle within reach to take care of flames when they get too high, and hook up your hose or store a fire extinguisher close enough to grab in a hurry in case of an emergency.
Even after the food is cooked, stay by the grill to get everything turned off and start the cooling process. Turn off the gas supply, and cut off the burners. Close vents in order to smother out flames by cutting off the oxygen supply.
The sooner you can remove ash or leftover charcoal from the grill, the better. Leftover fuel supplies can catch fire very easily, so take it out and dispose of them in a metal container. Check the grill before you head to bed and make sure it has cooled down plenty.
Summers here are incredible, and you should be able to enjoy every moment of them free of worries. Grill safely this summer, and keep SERVPRO of Tri-County’s phone number handy. We are available 24⁄7 to start restoration quickly if things do get out of hand.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Tri-County for a fast restoration.