According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries....
Did you know? Approximately 9,079 home fires involve grills, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Plus, gas grills accounted for four out of five fires, while 16% involved charcoal or solid-fueled grills.
To help you barbecue safely, we'll talk about practices to prevent grill fires.
Top 5 Barbecuing Practices to Prevent Fires
Here are the best barbecuing practices to prevent fires:
1. Choose a safe location for your grill.
Place grills on a flat surface more than ten feet away from your house, shed, garage, or other structures. You should also keep pets and children away from the grill.
In addition, you should not use grills under an overhang and a wooden deck or balcony. You shouldn't also use a grill in a tent, vehicle, or any other enclosed space, even when it's ventilated.
2. Wear fire protection gloves.
Unlike oven mitts, fire protection gloves protect your hands from flames and extreme heat. Additionally, fireproof gloves let you extinguish a minor fire without putting yourself in danger. On top of that, they're thick and long-lasting, making them a great long-term investment.
If you want reliable and durable fire protection gloves, here's a table summarizing the differences between Prepared Hero's Fire Protection Gloves and oven mitts:
Prepared Hero’s Fire Protection Gloves | Regular Oven Mitts |
Fire-resistant | Not fire-resistant |
Resistant to sharp knives | Not resistant to sharp knives |
Made of aramid fiber | Made of cheap plastic or rubber |
Lightweight & breathable | Not breathable |
Machine-washable | Tears in washer |
Put out fire | Catch fire |
Protect you from burns | Don’t protect you from burns |
3. Always have a fire extinguisher or fire spray nearby.
A fire extinguisher or fire spray can quickly put out fires, including grease fires and grill fires. However, not all fire extinguisher types can put out grill fires. If you want a more affordable yet equally reliable, get a fire spray.
The Hero Fire Spray is a lightweight and easy-to-use fire spray. Here's a table summarizing the differences between the Hero Fire Spray and a regular fire extinguisher:
Hero Fire Spray | Regular Fire Extinguisher |
Lightweight, easy to carry | Heavy, hard to carry |
Easy to store | Needs more space for storage |
Can put out all types of fire at home | Can only put out specific types of fire |
100% biodegradable | Mostly made of non-biodegradable materials |
Non-toxic | Toxic |
Easy to clean | Hard to clean |
Safe for kids and pets | Not safe for kids and pets |
You can also check out the post we made about how to use the Hero Fire Spray.
4. Don’t place flammable items near the grill.
Like fire pits, grills can remain hot for many hours, even after extinguishing the flames. So, don't place any flammable items near the grill or move the grill while the coals are hot. You should also keep combustibles away from the grill.
5. Remember post-grilling safety.
Remove grease or any buildup from the grills and in trays underneath. If you use a charcoal grill, soak the coals before throwing them away. Otherwise, cover the grill tightly and close the vents to extinguish the coals.