Memorial Day is the beginning of grilling season for many people but it is important to be aware of potential dangers that go along with this mouth-watering time of the year.
“Keep your grill clean. How many times How many times have you lit the grill off and you didn’t really clean it from the time before so you burn it up and look at the bottom and you’ve got all these flames because the grease that you haven’t removed catches on fire and that’s where obviously we get into some danger.”
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Flinn. PEMA has several tips that they are advising holiday grill masters to follow. Those with gas grills should check the gas tank hose for leaks while those using a charcoal grill should never add a flammable liquid to the fire other than a small amount of charcoal lighter fluid. All grills should be kept away from homes and grills should never be left unattended.
According to Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller, the aftermath of a grill fire can be dangerous and expensive.
“Personal safety is really the important message today, fires caused by grills and other outdoor cooking are also very expensive. These fires cause $118 million in property damage each year across the country. So even if no one is hurt, you could end up with very expensive damage to your home.”
Safe grilling tips are available from the National Fire Protection Association as well as at insurance.pa.gov.
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