June 27, 2007 Outdoor Grilling and Barbeque Safety Now with summer upon us, the time is right for a friendly reminder from the Ceres Fire Marshal about outdoor grilling and barbeque safety. It may seem unimportant and a matter of common sense that requires no reminder, but this favorite American summer activity can lead to serious injuries and property damage if charcoal grills and gas-fired cooking devices are not given their due respect and care. The following are a few tips to help make grilling safe and fun. To start the season, it is important to check all hoses, burners and fittings for brittleness and possible leaks. One way to determine if there are leaks is to use soapy water on the fittings and hoses with gas pressure in the system. If there are any leaks, the soap will reveal them quickly. Propane gas cylinders should also be checked for leaks. And when transporting these cylinders for filling, keep them in a well-ventilated portion of the vehicle. Transport them in the upright position on the vehicle floorboard and be sure to keep the windows open. Do not store the cylinder in a trunk or any other closed container or compartment, as doing so can lead to an explosion. It is also unwise to store a propane cylinder indoors, as a slow leak can develop, leading to very dangerous conditions for any occupants. When lighting a gas grill, keep the lid open and do not allow too much gas to accumulate. Grills equipped with igniters often require multiple attempts to start the burner. In the meantime, the gas (which is heavier than air) will pool at the lowest point and stay there for a potential explosion. It is therefore best to limit the amount of time during the ignition attempts to just a few seconds, and to then wait for several moments, allowing the accumulated gas to disperse before trying to ignite again. Charcoal grills present their own risks. The biggest danger occurs when charcoal lighter fluid is sprayed onto already hot coals - which people are prone to do when the fire start-up seems to take too long. Charcoal lighter fluid is a relatively safe product in cool conditions, but when placed on hot coals, it takes on a whole new explosive characteristic. It is best to wait until things have cooled and to start with cold charcoals before starting again with the lighter fluid. Emergency crews regularly handle these kinds of injuries, where burning blasts injure peoples' faces, eyes and hands. It is even more common for well-intentioned grillers to burn off their eyebrows, eyelids, head and facial hair owing to lighter fluid flare-ups. Whether using gas or charcoal grills, it is critical to keep them in well-ventilated areas that are away from trees, shrubs, structures, fences and the like. Some people use these grills in their garage, not realizing that these devices generate tremendous heat. This heat rises and is trapped in the ceiling or rafters and is hot enough to cause a fire. Using grills in enclosed areas also consumes oxygen and produces copious amounts of dangerous fumes that must not be inhaled. Finally, all children and pets should be kept completely away from grills. It is advisable to keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby when grilling. You can see that grilling can be dangerous when care is not taken to ensure the safety of the people and buildings nearby. But it takes only a few moments of forethought and planning to make for a safe and satisfying grilling experience. I wish you all a great summer!