Mon, May 23rd 2016 01:10 pm
FASNY offers lifesaving BBQ and grilling tips for the holiday weekend
By the Firemen's
Association of the State of New York
With Memorial Day
weekend swiftly approaching, families and friends will be gathering to
celebrate the unofficial start of summer, and many will be dusting off and
firing up their grills for the first time in months. The Firemen's Association
of the State of New York urges all New Yorkers to follow some basic rules and
tips to avoid accidents and injuries, and to remember to call for help if
needed.
"Memorial Day is a time
for reflection and commemoration," Firemen's
Association of the State of New York President Robert McConville said. "We
urge all New Yorkers to heed some basic barbecuing and grilling safety tips to
minimize the potential for accidents during the holiday weekend. We hope that
everybody has a happy, safe start to the summer."
According
to the National Fire Protection Association, there are an average of 8,900 home
fires caused by grilling, with the peak months being May, June, July and
August. The leading causes of grill fires included a
failure to clean, having the grill too close to something flammable, and
leaving the grill unattended. In 2014, 16,600 patients were sent to the
emergency room after being injured by a grill.
FASNY
offers the following safety tips to avoid accidents:
Before Barbecuing
- Check
your grill thoroughly for leaks, cracking or brittleness before using it.
- Check
the tubes leading to the burner regularly for blockages. Check your specific
grill manufacturer's instructions.
- Make
sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, garage
or trees.
- Store
and use your grill on a large, flat surface that cannot burn (i.e., concrete or
asphalt).
- Don't
use grills in a garage, on a porch, deck or on top of anything that can catch
fire. Never use a propane barbecue grill on a balcony, terrace or roof (it is
both dangerous and illegal).
- Keep
children away from fires and grills. It is a good idea to establish a
safety zone around the grill and monitor children to remain outside the zone.
- Before
getting a propane cylinder filled, check for any damages to it.
- Never
transport or store propane cylinders in the trunk of your automobile.
During Barbecuing
- Keep
children away from the grill.
- Don't
wear loose clothing that might catch fire.
- Do
use long-handled barbecue tools and/or flame-resistant mitts.
- Never
use any flammable liquid other than a barbecue starter fluid to start/freshen a
fire.
- Never
pour or squirt starter fluid onto an open flame. The flames can easily flash back
along the fluid's path, to the container in your hands.
- Keep
alcoholic beverages away from the grill; they are flammable.
- Never
leave the grill unattended.
Barbecue Safely
- When
lighting your propane barbecue, make sure all the connections are secure and
open the lid and strike your match or lighter before turning on the gas.
- Always
shut off the propane fuel at the grill and at the bottle after you have
finished barbecuing. Otherwise, this will lead to fire hazards, such as leaks
and faulty regulators.
- Do
store your barbecue grill and propane cylinder outdoors.
- Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the safe use, cleaning and maintenance of
your grill.
- Test
your cylinder for leaks on a regular basis. When testing for leaks, never use
matches or an open flame. Use soapy water or a leak detector.
- Do
store your cylinder away from heat and insert a safety plug on the valve.
After Barbecuing
- Always
follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storing instructions that accompany the
grill.
- Keep
your grill clean and free of grease buildup that may lead to a fire.
- Never
store liquid or pressurized fuels inside your home and/or near any possible
sources of flame.
In Case of a Barbecue Fire
- For propane grills, turn off the
burners. For charcoal grills, close
the grill lid. Disconnect the power to electric
grills.
- For propane grills, 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 the fire
department.
- If
there is any type of fire that either threatens your personal safety or
endangers property, always call the fire department.
- Never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. It will
only cause the flames to flare up. Use an approved portable fire extinguisher.
About FASNY
Founded in 1872, the Firemen's Association of the State of
New York represents the interests of nearly 100,000 volunteer firefighters and
emergency medical personnel in New York. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.