General Safety Tips
According to the NFPA, 7 out of 10 adults own a grill. This means there is an increased risk in the amount of fires in the summertime. There are some precautions to take to protect yourself against the common dangers of grilling. They include:
Grill Location — Make sure your grill is located away from your home. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid keeping it under branches or deck covers. This allows for proper ventilation while cooking.
Keep a Water Hose Nearby — It’s a good idea to make sure that you have a water hose (connected to a faucet) close by while you’re grilling. If a fire were to occur, you can quickly reach for the hose to attempt to put it out. If this isn’t possible, consider keeping a bucket of dirt nearby to smother a potential fire.
Clean Your Grill Regularly — Just like the dishes in your kitchen, it’s important to keep a clean grill. A neglected grill with a buildup of fat and grease can lead to a grease fire. The best way to do this is by using a stiff wire brush, and should be done after every use.
Grill Type
What type of grill you have can come with its own kind of dangers that you should be aware of. If you’re using a gas grill, you should make sure there are no gas leaks prior to use. If the flame goes out when lighting it, turn both the grill and the gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before attempting to relight it. When operating a charcoal grill, try using a charcoal chimney starter. If you can find one that doesn’t require lighter fluid to start, that’s even better. If you must use lighter fluid, choose charcoal lighter fluid. When you’re finished grilling, wait for the coals to cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
Fire Damage Restoration
At ServiceMaster of Baltimore, we understand that experiencing fire and/or smoke damage on your property can be difficult. That’s why we’re here to help. We have years of experience in returning homes and offices back to their pre-loss conditions. Helping families and individuals just like you makes us the best choice for emergency services.
Call us today at 410-780-1700 to speak with one of our licensed technicians to find out how we can help. ServiceMaster works with all major insurance companies for fire and smoke damage.