Having A Safe Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day Weekend starts the beginning of grilling season! Because the LLPHP cares, we want you, your family, and your property to be safe when you have your Memorial Day BBQ.

General Safety Tips

• Whether you’re using a propane grill or a charcoal grill, they should only be used outdoors. Propane grills especially can give off carbon monoxide which can be poisonous in an enclosed area.
• Grills should have a 10 foot safety circle around them. They should be at least 10 feet away from The grill should be placed well away from your home, deck railings, overhanging eaves and branches, sheds, etc.
• The safety circle applies to people and animals too. While a 10 foot space is safest, you should ensure children and pets stay at least three feet away from the grill at a minimum.
• When you’re done grilling you should keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grill and the trays below the grill.
• Never leave a grill unattended.
• Clothing and hair are flammable. can easily catch fire, so be sure long hair is pulled back and that sleeves, apron strings, or other items of clothing don’t dangle over the grill.
• An ABC fire extinguisher will extinguish most fires. If you don’t have an ABC extinguisher, you should keep a bucket of sand next to the grill that you can dump on the fire to extinguish it. Never use water to put out grease fire.
  
  

Charcoal Grill Safety

• There are a few options how to light a charcoal grill. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to use newspaper as a fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Once the fire is started, do not add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children.
• You can also use electric charcoal starters, which are flameless. If you use one, make sure you use an extension cord meant for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, you should let the coals completely cool before disposing of them. A good guideline is to wait 48 hours. Coals should be disposed of in a metal container.
• Charcoal grills can continue to remain hot for many hours after the flames extinguish. Keep burnable or flammable objects away from the grill and refrain from moving the grill while the coals and grill are hot.
• Check for rust damage to your grill. Rust damage makes it possible for charcoal to fall through onto surfaces below and cause a fire.
  
  

Propane Grill Safety

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Mix up a light soap and water solution and apply to the hose. If you have a leak in your hose, the leak will cause bubbles to form.
• If you determine you grill has a gas leak whether by smell or soapy bubbles and there is no flame, turn off the gas at both the tank and the grill.
• If the leak stops, have the grill serviced by a professional or replace it.
• If the leak does not stop, move away from the grill and call your local emergency number (9-1-1 in most of the US).
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call your local emergency number. Do not try move or repair the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the gas off at both the grill and the tank and wait at least 5 minutes before trying to light it again.
  
  

Did you learn anything from these tips?

What’s your favourite thing to grill?

Whatever you like to grill, please stay safe when you have your Memorial Day BBQ, or whenever you’re grilling!

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Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project

If you would like to support the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project, please consider contributing to LLPHP via GoFundMe