Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips for Your Summer

From relaxed afternoons on the beach to family movie nights, the summer months bring much joy to share with your loved ones. For many, a summer staple is grilling outside with loved ones.

If you enjoy outdoor grilling, you’re in good company. However, it’s important to be aware of its potential risks. Keep reading to get our safety tips for grilling outside to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Understanding the Fuel: Gas vs. Charcoal Grills

Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, the summertime offers abundant opportunities to grill family favorite meals. However, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 house fires between 2019 and 2023.

No matter what outdoor grill you have, it’s important to know how to properly use it and remain mindful of its risks. Gas grills pose several risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning, fire hazards and gas leaks, which can become flammable if not tended to properly.

Charcoal grills carry their own risks, including inhalation of harmful fumes, carcinogen formation, fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning. While grilling outside with family can seem like an everyday task, it’s important to remember the potential dangers and stay prepared if an emergency happens. The best thing you can do is implement various safety measures to keep everyone safe.

How to Stay Safe When Grilling Outdoors

There’s nothing quite like hearing the sizzle of the grill as your favorite summer meals cook to perfection. While grilling outdoors and fellowshipping with loved ones is a recipe for a great time, it’s important to take proper safety precautions to stay safe and enjoy summer to the fullest.

Choosing Where to Put the Grill

When it comes to grilling in the summer, we know it can be tempting to place your grill in your garage or under your backyard balcony for shade. However, placing your grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any other structure is important. This protects your home or other property from catching fire if your grill tips over. It’s best practice to place your grill on a steady, even surface to prevent it from falling over.

It’s also important to place your grill outside where there’s proper ventilation. If you grill in a more confined space like a garage, you risk inhaling toxic fumes as the smoke from the grill gets trapped in the room with you. If the grill is too close to combustible materials, a fire can start faster than you may think.

Check Your Grill for Leaks

Propane tanks are one of the most common ways to fuel gas grills. However, the contents of these tanks are highly flammable and pose serious risks if inhaled in large quantities. For those operating gas grills using propane tanks, it’s vital that you check for leaks before turning them on.

It's not uncommon for your grill to develop leaks in the gas line. If undetected, these leaks can build up pressure over time, making an explosion more likely. They can also make it more likely for a fire to start and potentially expose you to carbon monoxide poisoning. You can test for leaks by putting soap on the suspected area and checking for bubbles. If you see them, you have a leak and should take immediate action.

Always Clean Your Grill After Use

It’s important to clean your grill after each use. If you don’t, grease builds up as you cook various foods and gets trapped in the grease tray. When the grill is on, the excess grease can act as its own fuel source and put you at risk of flame flare-ups. Cleaning your grill also protects you from food contamination and helps to maintain your grill’s efficiency.

Never Leave Your Grill Unattended

Whether you forgot the cheese for your burgers or need an extra plate, leaving the grill unattended is never smart. If you have little ones running around, they could accidentally get burned by the grill if you aren’t supervising.

If a gust of wind blows through and throws a few sparks in the nearby grass, a fire could start. It’s important to be ready to act in case this happens so you can quickly put the fire out.

Be Prepared to Put Out a Fire

When you’re grilling, there’s always a risk of flare-ups. Whether the wind strengthens the flames or fat drips off your food and burns on the coals, it’s important to remain prepared to extinguish a fire.

We recommend having a spray bottle to contain small flare-ups and access to large quantities of water, like a hose, in case a large fire erupts. It’s also best practice to have a fire extinguisher on hand. Baking soda is a great way to extinguish grease fires. You never want to put water on a grease fire because it causes it to spread, raising your risk of extreme burns.

Your Ever-Present Health Partner

At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. We hope a grilling accident never happens. But if it does, we’re close by, ready to deliver the expert, compassionate care you need. Visit us here to find your nearest ER or urgent care.