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travel & recreation
Grill fire safety
Avoid the backyard burn
By Rita Colorito

WITH MEMORIAL DAY around the corner, you probably have thoughts of breaking out the grill for that first sizzling summer feast. The possibility of a devastating fire likely doesn’t enter your mind.

Summer’s a prime season for backyard burns— and not the kind you get from the sun. While indoor cooking accounts for the majority of U.S. house fires, the outdoor kitchen—grills, hibachis and barbecues—poses problems of its own. Each year outdoor grills cause an average of 7,700 house fires, $70 million in property damage, 13 deaths and 17,700 emergency room visits, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in Quincy, Massachusetts.

But there are things you can do to safeguard your home and family.

fluid, away from the grill. And go easy on the starter fluid. “One of the biggest mistakes is using too much starter fluid,” says Carli. “Once your fire is going, don’t add additional starter fluid.” Starter fluid is a factor in about 25 percent of thermal injuries caused by char-coal- and wood-burning grills.

HUMAN-CAUSED wildfires, including those caused by campfires and grills, as well as arson, fireworks and yard-waste burning, caused 64,807 wildfires on federal and state land in 2010, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“So you can understand why Smokey Bear is still relevant. We want people to put out every fire they start,” says Helene Cleveland, the Forest Service’s fire prevention program manager.

To prevent forest fires,
Cleveland offers these tips:

Campfire 101: Safeguarding the outdoors

 Place grills on solid, dirt-only ground.

Location, location, location

Improper grill placement—too close to wooden materials, such as a fence or siding—can turn your home to tinder.

“You want a 3-foot area away from things that can burn, including your home,” says Carli, who also advises placing grills out from under any overhanging trees, eaves or pergolas.

These guidelines also apply to popular fire pits and chimeneas, which should never be placed on a wooden structure. “You want them to be placed on a very sturdy ground area, so that they don’t get tipped over,” says Carli. And never place any fire vessel in a walkway or play area, where children can bump them. In 2009, children age 5 or younger accounted for 22 percent of thermal burns from grills, mostly from contact, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 Never place a tabletop grill directly onto a wooden surface or picnic table. Always place a metal tray or cookie sheet beneath.

 Pay attention to park postings on wind and dryness conditions, which could send an ember flying.

 Never start a fire under or near any trees or bushes.

Grill prep

Gas grills account for 81 percent of grills involved in house fires. The main culprit: a gas leak. “As you are getting ready for grill season, inspect your grill and make sure that it’s in good working order,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for the NFPA. To check for leaks, apply a light water-and-soap solution to the gas hose. If you see bubbles, you have a leak.

“Turn off the gas tank and the grill,” advises
Carli. “If the leak stops, get the grill serviced. If the
leak doesn’t stop, contact the fire department.”
For built-in grills, a common mistake is making
an improper fuel connection, says Shiva Noble,
executive vice president of Costco grill supplier Cal
Flame in Pomona, California. “[You] should always
use a certified plumber to convert the grill from [liq-
uid propane to natural gas],” says Noble.

To prevent the leading cause of charcoal grill fires, responsible for 17 percent of fires, place any combustible items, such as paper products and starter

 To dispose of hot coals, look for designated metal deposi-tories or bring your own metal container.

Fight flare-ups right

Occasionally, built-up grease catches fire. “If you can safely turn off the grill, that’s the best course of action. Shut the cover and then the fire will typically go down. If anything ever gets out of control, your best course of action is to call the fire department and get away from it,” says Carli. While fire extinguishers are good for handling small, contained fires, the NFPA doesn’t recommend them for grill fires.

To reduce flare-ups, remove grease buildup from the grill and trays below. “Pull out the grates and put them in the dishwasher,” says Noble. “People sometimes get lazy, and they don’t want to clean it until the next time they use it. But the best thing to do is to clean it right away.” C

 To make sure coals are dead out, dump water onto them, stir the ashes, dump more water, stir again. Then feel the coals gently to make sure there are no hot spots.

 If you must dump the coals on the ground, find an area of just dirt, away from the campsite.

 If you accidentally start a forest fire—and it’s just starting—try to put it out with water or an extinguisher. Always call 911 if there’s ever any concern.

The Costco Connection Costco members will find a wide assortment of mobile and fixed grills and firepits, as well as fire extinguishers, in the warehouse and on Costco.com.