Be Safe Grilling this Labor Day Holiday

Many people will enjoy the Labor Day holiday weekend by grilling.  Just like the meat you are preparing, safety is critical to grilling, says Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch.  “Each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns.  In 2014, 16,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills.  A failure to clean the grill was the leading factor contributing to the fire in one-fifth of all grill structure fires.  In 17% something that could catch fire was too close to the grill.  Leaks or breaks in the grill were a factor in 11% of the grill-caused structure fires.  Gas grills contributed to a higher number of home fires overall than their charcoal counterparts.  Propane, charcoal, and wood pellet grills must only be used outdoors.  Using grills indoors could kill occupants by causing fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.  Always place the grill away from the siding and deck railing and out from under eaves and overhang branches.  Don’t store or use a grill on a porch or a balcony, including any porch or balcony on the upper level of a building.  Always have a three-foot kid-free safe zone around the grill.  Periodically remove grease or fat build-up in the trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by the hot grill and never leave a BBQ grill unattended.  For charcoal grills, never add the charcoal starter to the coals or kenneling that has already been ignited.  Never use gasoline or flammable liquids, except for the charcoal starter lighter fluid to start a charcoal fire.  After you’re done grilling on a charcoal grill, always dispose of your coals only after they are cool.  Empty them into a metal container with a tight fighting lid that you only use to collect these coals and place them outside away from anything that can burn.  Never empty the coals directly into a trash can.  For propane grills, if you think it might be leaking by the smell or if you do a soak test, put some soap suds on it and it seems to bubble, turn off the gas at the tank.  If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.  If it does not stop, call the fire department.  Always store your propane gas tanks outside of buildings and garages because they can leak vapors.  When you go to light your grill, light it only with the cover open.  If the flame on the grill goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait for at least five minutes before reigniting.”  Please be safe grilling and follow this advice from the Rabun County Fire Department.