Grilling This Memorial Day Weekend? The State Fire Marshal Offers Grilling Tips

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT (Patch Staff)

BURLINGTON, MA - “Memorial Day is the traditional launch of the summer barbecue season,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey in a recent announcement. “Take a few minutes for safety and inspect grills for leaks and cracks, and teach children to stay three feet away from any grill in use.”

The state fire marshal asks that you make sure you know these tips before firing things up this season:

Check for Leaks

“Check to make sure all the connections are tight and secure before firing up the gas grill for the first time this season,” said Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Using a brush, apply a soapy solution made of one part dish liquid and one part water to the tank connection. If the solution bubbles, you have a leak that needs repair,” said Ostroskey. He recommended checking for and replacing any cracked hoses.

Safety First

• Read and follow the owner’s manual.
• Always grill outdoors.
• Place grills away from the house and deck railings (about ten feet). Make sure they are not under eaves, overhanging branches or against the side of the building.
• A gas or charcoal grill should not be used on any porch or balcony. Electric grills that have no open flame may be used.
• Gas grills can be used on first floor open decks or patios if there is an exterior stairway to the ground, or it is at ground level.
• Grills should never be used indoors or on fire escapes.
• Keep children and pets three feet away from the grill area. Create a circle of safety.
• Never leave a grill burning unattended.
• Keep the grill clean by removing grease or fat build-up from the grills and trays below the grill.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait 15 minutes before relighting.
• Never use gasoline on any grill!

Grill Fire Facts

Between 2011 and 2015, there were 431 fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) involving grills, hibachis and barbecues. These incidents caused 20 civilian injuries, three firefighter injuries, and $3.5 million in property damage.

Place Grills Away from Buildings

Ostroskey said in the release, “Place grills well away from the exterior of the house to keep any grill fire from also igniting a building. Last year, many of the grill fires started when the grill was placed right up against an exterior wall.”

On May 26, 2015, at 6:16 p.m., the Ludlow Fire Department was dispatched to a grill fire at a single-family home. A gas grill was too close to the exterior wall of the home and ignited the vinyl siding. No one was injured at this fire but damages were estimated to be $100,000.

On June 7, 2015, at 10:01 p.m., the Norwell Fire Department was sent to a grill fire at a single-family home. A gas grill was too close to the exterior wall of the home and ignited the vinyl siding. No one was injured at this fire. Alarms were present and they alerted the occupants. The building was not sprinklered and damages were estimated to be $40,000.

On July 7, 2015, at 3:15 p.m., the Wareham Fire Department was called to an outside grill fire at a single-family home. A gas grill was being used too close to the garage and caught on fire. The fire extended to the garage and caused $25,000 in estimated damages. No one was injured at this fire.

On July 20, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., the Leominster Fire Department was called to a grill fire at a single-family home. The gas grill was on an exterior balcony. It had not been cleaned and the grease caught fire and ignited the building. No one was injured at this fire. The building did not have any sprinklers and damages were estimated to be $125,000.

Charcoal Grill Safety

Marshal Ostroskey also said, “Practice safety around charcoal grills.” Once the coals have been lit, never add lighter fluid to the fire – flames may travel up the stream of lighter fluid resulting in serious burns. Charcoal briquettes give off carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. “Make sure to always use charcoal grills outside in a well-ventilated area,” he added,” Let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container.”

Last May, a charcoal grill on an enclosed porch ignited a 2-alarm house fire in a Milton. The family was displaced and the fire caused $175,000 in damages.

Information State Fire Marshal's office. Photo via Shutterstock