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Summer Grill Safety Tips with CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric

August 03, 2023
Outdoor cooking and grilling are popular summer activities, and while fun and enjoyable, they can also be dangerous if not done with safety in mind. On average, 13 deaths occur every year, and in 2022, there were 5,400 ER-treated injuries associated with grills, burns being the most common.

Common grilling hazards include fires, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning. To reduce these risks and have a safe grilling experience, follow some general safety tips.

Recalls: Check www.cpsc.gov to see if the grill has been recalled – follow the remedy if recalled.
Inspect: Look over the grill and any gas hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Replace, if necessary.
Location: Use grills outside only, in well-ventilated areas and never indoors, in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a surface that will burn.
Starters: Only use appropriate fire starters and only before lighting the fire. Never add liquid fuel after trying to start a fire.
Observe: Never leave a hot grill unattended and keep children away from the grill area.
Clean up: Clean your grill with a ball of aluminum foil or nylon brushes, instead of wire grill brushes, to prevent stray wire brush strands from ending up in the food.
Extinguishers: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure that everyone knows how to use it.
Report an unsafe product