Fire Chief's Bulletin

Best Bet Bar-B-Cue Tips For Safety

Everyone enjoys grilling, especially during summer cookout season. Along with the irresistible barbecue flavor comes potential safety hazards. Regardless of your type and style of grill, certain precautions should be taken to ensure safety for all in the backyard. There are a wide variety of grills on the market today, ranging from Weber’s ubiquitous kettle grill to the more elaborate grilling wagons with range-style side burners.

Some safety tips for grilling this summer:

Never operate your grill under overhangs, awnings or eves. Be sure to place your grill a safe distance from structures.
Never leave grill unattended to guard against grease fires. Grease fires can be severe and cause damage to the grill, property and persons.
Always pre-heat and post-heat your grill for safety reasons. A dirty grill is susceptible to grease fires.
Position your portable grill away from direct wind.
Never store grills or the (propane) fuel tank —whether full or empty— inside your home, garage or living area.
For child safety, remove all control knobs and store them indoors.
Never drill out the orifice or make any other field alterations to your grill.
Never pull your grill always push it.
Never move your grill while it is still in operation or still hot.
Make sure the grill hood is fully open before lighting your grill.
Do not store lighters, matches or any flammable materials in cabinets beneath the grill or in the vicinity of your grill.
Before operating your grill and after refueling, check to be certain all connections are tight and there are no leaks.

For more information check out your grill’s owner’s manual, it is a terrific resource for grilling safety.

The Russell Fire Department welcomes any specific questions Monday-Friday 7am — 5pm at the Russell Fire Station, (440)338-6161.

Submitted by
Eric Beck FF/EMT