Columbia Fire Department highlights grill safety during Labor Day weekend
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As summer winds down, people may be breaking out the grill to squeeze in those last few barbecues. According to the National Fire Protection Association, August ranked as the fourth-highest month for grill fires from 2019 to 2023.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also found that from 2020 to 2024, a little more than 21,600 patients went to emergency rooms yearly because of grill-related injuries.
The Columbia Fire Department is reminding citizens to take precautions when grilling this holiday weekend to keep their families and homes safe.
All grills should be used outdoors and away from the sides of homes or underneath of decks and low tree branches. Grills should not be left unattended, and it is recommended to keep pets and children at least three feet away from an hot grill at all times.
For charcoal grills, only charcoal starter fluid should be used when lighting a fire. Hot coals should also be completely cool before being thrown away in a metal container.
Propane tanks and gas lines should be checked before grilling, and it’s recommended to open a gas grill before lighting it. The NFPA adds that if you smell gas when cooking, turn the grill off and call the fire department. If a gas grill’s flame goes out, turn the grill off and wait at least five minutes before re-lighting it.
The NFPA found that around one-fifth of grill fires are caused by poorly cleaned grills. It said grease traps should be cleaned out regularly, and grills are recommended to be cleaned with a non-metal bristle brush to avoid bristles getting into food.