By: Joe DiFranco
The summer months bring people outdoors. Many enjoy barbecuing as a summer alternative to indoor cooking. Always practice the gas grill safety tips listed here and always follow your owner’s manual for safe use of gas grills during summer.
- Only use a gas grill outdoors.
- Grills must be at least 10 feet from the side of a building including the house, decks and deck railings.
- Grills can never be used on fire escapes.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance from grills.
- In addition to your yard, grills may only be used on first floor decks, patios or porches that are at ground level or have outdoor access to the ground and do not have overhangs provided the 10 foot safety distance from the building is met.
- Always open the lid of your gas grill prior to and during lighting.
- Never leave the grill unattended while cooking.
- Keep all propane outdoors and at least 10 feet away from building openings and at least 20 feet away from ignition sources.
- Spare propane cylinders should always be stored in the upright position.
- Do not leave propane cylinders in sunlight or exposed to high temperatures.
- When buying or refueling propane cylinders, never leave them in your car for an extended period of time.
- Never smoke when handling or in the area of a propane cylinder.
Gas Grill Maintenance is also an important part of grilling safety. We recommend that you follow the owner’s manual guidelines.
- Replace all propane cylinders that are out of date, rusty or damaged.
- Check that all gas connections are tight before turning the gas on.
- Do not repair a broken tank yourself, bring it to a certified dealer or repair specialist.
- Soapy water can be used to test for leaks at all connections. If bubbles appear, shut off the gas, retighten connections and test again before using the gas grill.
- To avoid a grease fire, clean the trap before every use.
- Replace the tubes or burners that are damaged or worn.
Always follow your grill owner’s manual in addition to these tips and have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Joe DiFranco is the Assistant Vice President, Technical Investigations for eRisk Solutions.