Chances are if you need to have entire passive fire protection systems in place every time you grill, you’re doing it wrong. That being said, even those who follow what the fire protection handbook says about safe grilling are at risk. According to a report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)–a leading government agency in the field of fire protection services–grill fires on residential properties cause about 10 fatalities, 100 injuries, and around $37 million of damage on average each year.
With summer in full swing and July Fourth right around the corner, you’d be wise to brush up on how to be safe while grilling, just what fire protection products you should have handy when cooking those hot dogs. So here are a few tips to help you out.
Clean Your Grill Before and After Each Use.
If you’ve ever had to deal with a grease fire, you know how mortifying it can be. There are actually special grade fire protection products designed to deal with kitchen fires. Make sure to brush it well before and after you use it each time to make sure that you don’t have any unwanted surprises.
Keep Kids Away.
As much as you love spending time with your children, you shouldn’t have them hanging around with you when cooking, even if you have those aforementioned fire protection products on hand. There are a number of things that can go wrong, and you don’t want your child to unwittingly do something that puts them and you in danger.
Check the Propane Tank.
If you use a propane grill, check it for leaks before you use it each time. You don’t need any special fire protection products to do this. Just apply a light solution of soap and water to the hose. If it’s leaking, you’ll see bubbles. If it’s leaking, take it to a professional to get fixed before using it again.
Careful grilling means more than having the right fire protection products on hand. With these tips in mind, you can safely serve up some steaks, kabobs, burgers, or dogs to your hungry friends and family. If you have any questions about which fire protection products to have on hand when grilling, feel free to ask in the comments. This is a great source for more.