Grilling Safety
Each
year, about 600 fires/explosions nationally occur with gas grills resulting in injuries to about 30 people.
Propane gas is highly flammable. The
new safety standard for propane gas tanks requires that an "over-fill
prevention device" be installed in new gas tanks.
The new propane gas tanks have valve handles with three "lobes"
(prongs) while older tanks have valve handles with five prongs.
People with older propane gas tanks should trade them in for the new,
safer tanks.
·
Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes,
and leaks. Make sure there are no
sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
·
Move gas hoses as far away as
possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.
·
Always keep propane gas
containers upright.
·
Never store a spare gas
container under or near the grill or indoors.
·
Never store or use flammable
liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
·
Never keep a filled container
in a hot car or car trunk. Heat
will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and
allow gas to escape.
·
Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles,
tents, or campers.
·
Charcoal should never be used
indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
· Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.