The INTEK fire restoration team stays busy during the summer, often responding to fires that could have been prevented.
Grill Fires Account for 8,900 House Fires Each Year
Fires caused by grilling are among the most preventable fires that occur every summer. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 8,900 house fires are caused by grilling each year, and almost half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns.
July is the peak month for grill fires followed by May, June, and August. A Sioux Falls resident who was recently featured on Keloland knows of this danger firsthand. A propane leak caused her grill to catch fire two years ago (even though the grill was turned off) and caused $100,000 in damage to her home.
Checking your fuel lines is important. It’s also important to keep your grill away from your house and deck – something that might have saved Carolynne Pederson’s home.
“I see grills on decks of apartment buildings or by people’s houses, and I almost feel like I should go up there and tell them to please move that grill away. I’m sure they don’t have any idea how quickly it can happen,” Pederson told KELO.
INTEK Fire Restoration Team Offers Safety Tips
INTEK would like to help you grill safely this summer. We’ve put together a full list of grilling safety tips to help you minimize fire danger and avoid having to search for fire restoration services.
- Grills are for outdoor use only. Barbecuing in an enclosed area can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate and lead to death.
- Use grills in a well-ventilated area. Be sure your grill is away from buildings, overhangs and other combustible surfaces or objects (like leaves and brush).
- Avoid grilling in high traffic areas. While we all want to be a part of the party, grill away from people to reduce the risk of accidents such as tripping and falling in to the grill. Tell others to stay away from the hot grill.
- Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher close by while you grill.
- Do not move a hot grill. It is too easy to trip or drop a grill resulting in burns or worse.
- Keep your grill clean. Scrape away grease and fat buildup while the grill is cold.
- Always check propane grills for leaks. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. If the hose releases bubbles, you have leak. Turn off the grill and call professionals to fix your grill. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. Do not try to move the grill.
Contact INTEK for Fire Restoration
Be safe while you grill, and have a great spring and summer season. We know accidents can happen, and the INTEK fire restoration team is available at a moment’s notice for all fire restoration jobs in the Sioux Falls and Yankton area.
You can also feel free to contact us should any major issues arise as you perform your annual spring cleaning chores. Call INTEK for jobs large and small – mold remediation, furnace and duct cleaning, water damage restoration and more.
For more information on grilling safety, visit:
