Backyard grillers should keep safety to the front of their minds
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Living/66722/
Catching a whiff of lighter fluid on a sunny summer afternoon can be better than Chanel No. 5. ’Tis the season for backyard barbecues, roasting marshmallows over a campfire and picnic grilling. It’s also the time of burned fingers, singed hair and bare spots on the lawn.
“ Everyone thinks he or she is a grill master when summertime gets here, ” Dr. John Marcy, extension poultry processing specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said. “ Grilling is fun and relatively easy, but there are safety considerations to keep in mind, especially when the griller is distracted by running kids, visiting relatives and barking dogs. ”
Safety begins before you ignite, so keep these tips in mind when planning for a barbecue. First, check the grill for leaks, cracks or any brittle areas before using it. Regardless of the type of grill — charcoal, gas / propane or electric — these fissures will have a negative effect on how the grill operates. Once you’ve determined there are no holes or have repaired or replaced your grill, clean out the tubes that lead into the burner if it’s a gas or propane unit. If it’s a charcoal grill, clear the bottom of the barbecue of any ash and debris, and give the grill grate a good scrubbing.
“ This will optimize your work surface and allow you plenty of time to react to another problem, should one arise, ” Marcy said.
Placement is next to cleanliness, so ensure your grill is a minimum of 10 feet away from any structure, including your home, apartment, garage, shed and trees. Whatever you do, don’t use a grill in a garage, on a porch or deck or on top of anything that can catch on fire, like a terrace or fire escape.
“ Many times, people will want to grill out, but the weather may not be cooperative, so they decide to fire up the barbecue on a covered area, ” Marcy said. “ It’s never a good idea and can cause a lot of damage and personal injury if the area catches fire. ”
It is a good idea, however, to educate children about fire safety when it comes to outdoor fires. Parents or other adults can draw a chalk circle around the barbecuing area and instruct kids to stay outside of the “ grill zone. ” This will help keep the grill master focused on his task at hand without worrying about kids playing nearby and tripping over the barbecue, which could fall on them and cause burns.
“ You can’t keep your eye on them every minute, but using a ‘ grill zone’ can help keep them far enough away that the person grilling doesn’t have to worry about two things at once, ” Marcy said. “ One adult can keep an eye on the kids while another can keep an eye on the grill, and everyone will remain safe. ”
Finally, keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or buckets of water close by in case a fire does start. A fire extinguisher is best, as it will combat all types of fire. If the fire was ignited by grease, however, water will only cause the flames to flare. For specific types of grills, follow these tips:
• Propane grill fires: Turn off the burners, and, if you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off. If the fire involves the tank, leave it alone, evacuate the area and call 911.
• Charcoal grill fires: Extinguish the flames by closing the grill lid.
• Electric grill fires: Disconnect the power.
• Remember: If there’s any type of fire that threatens your personal safety or endangers property, dial 911 for help.
For more information about fire safety, visit extension’s Web site, www. uaex. edu, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the UA Division of Agriculture.