Grill Safety

Especially during Summer and when the weather is good, grills are lighting up all across the country. The Palatine Fire Department reminds residents to take proactive measures to keep their summer barbecues safe and fun for everyone involved.

According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker. With a large portion of the country enjoying backyard cooking, there is an increased risk of home fires.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reported that fire departments across the U.S. responded to an annual average of 9,600 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbeques between 2011 and 2015. Of these fire incidents 4,100 were structure fires and 5,500 were outside or unclassified fires.

Grilling by the numbers …

• July is the peak month for grill fires (17%) including both structure, outdoor, or unclassified fires, followed by May (14%), June (14%) and August (13%).

• In 2012-2016, an average of 16,600 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills, with thermal burns accounting for half of them (CPSC 2016).

• Children under five accounted for an average of 1,600 or one-third (35%) of the 4,500 thermal, non-fire grill burns. These burns typically occurred when someone, often a child, bumped into, touched or fell on the grill, grill part or hot coals.

• Gas grills were involved in an average of 7,900 home fires per year, including 3,300 structure fires and 4,700 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Twelve percent of gas grill structure fires and 24% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks.

• Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300 home fires per year, including 600 structure fires and 700 outside fires annually.

SOURCE: Palatine Fire Department

For more information on fire safety please visit the Palatine Fire Department at www.palatine.il.us or the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.