SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is providing its top grilling safety tips for Memorial Day.
With Memorial Day weekend coming up, the grill comes out to prepare for outdoor cooking. With this, the NFPA offers important safety tips and guidelines to help ensure that the grilling season remains fire-safe.
“Cookouts and outdoor grilling can be a great way to spend time with friends and family, but they do present potential risks,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Over Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, we want everyone to be aware of where and when grilling fires tend to happen, along with steps they can take to help prevent them.”
NFPA data shows that gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year between 2019 and 2023. In about 20% of these fires, the grill had not been cleaned. On average, 21,682 people went to the emergency rooms because of grill-related injuries between 2020 and 2024, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“By following simple safety precautions, people can greatly reduce the risk of grilling fires and associated risks,” said Carli.
Here are the top tips:
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For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks.
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Keep your grill clean. Remove all grease and fat buildup from the grill and trays below.
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Place the grill well away from your home, deck railings, eaves, and overhanging branches.
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Always open the lid before lighting a gas-powered grill.
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Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
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When using charcoal grills:
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Only use charcoal starter fluid.
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Never add starter fluid or other flammable liquids to a lit fire.
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Let coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
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Never leave your grill unattended while in use.
For additional grilling safety information, check out the NFPA podcast episode, a blog post on fire code grill requirements, or a video on some lesser-known grilling safety tips.
For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.