According to the National Fire Protection Association, gas and charcoal grills were responsible for more than 7,000 home fires between 2003 and 2006. Research has revealed gas grills were involved in 81 percent of these fires.
Bayou Cane Fire Department's fire inspector, Ken Himel, said his department hasn't experienced many bad situations involving gas grills in his three years there, however, the same can't be said for charcoal barbecue pits.
“We've been called out to numerous dumpsters on fire as a result of someone taking coals and dumping them in there before they were completely out,” he said.
Himel advised pouring water over the coals, or simply waiting 24 hours before disposing them.
In Himel's estimation, the advantage of a charcoal pit over a gas grill is the ability of someone to put out a fire.
A small fire on a charcoal pit can be put out fairly easily with water, he said.
The same doesn't hold true for a gas grill, Himel warned.
“Unless you can shut off the valve, the fire won't stop,” Himel said. “It doesn't matter how much water you put on it.”
Statistics gathered in 2007 by the National Fire Protection Association said 9,600 people went to emergency rooms because of thermal burns caused by grills.
The majority of these injuries came as a direct result of using a gas-powered pit.
“Best-case scenario, you might have your ego burnt a bit,” Himel said. “Worst scenario, you might end up dead.”
Leaks or breaks in hoses are the no. 1 concern to worry about when dealing with a gas grill, he said.
“I would advise someone to spend a minute checking out their equipment,” Himel said. “If your propane tank has rust on it you really shouldn't be using it. Also, we all know what makes barbecue taste so good is that stuff we have left over from the last time we grilled, but that same stuff can be a fire hazard — so you should always clean your grill between barbecues.”
He said barbecue pits should be moved at least 10 to 15 feet away from your home.
“I would just say that someone should always use common sense around whatever grill they choose to use,” he said.
His final word of caution is to know what your dealing with and, if a situation looks unsafe, get away from the grill and call the fire department.
“At the first sign that there might be a serious problem, we should receive a call immediately,” Himel said. “If you think you can do something within reason to stop it, I would, but if the situation looks too dangerous, just back away and wait for us.”
Staff Writer Thad Angelloz can be reached at 857-2207 or at thad.angelloz@houmatoday.com.
Don't forget to be careful around your grill this summer
The electrical power may go out in a residential area during a summer thunderstorm. Just imagine that you were about to cook dinner. You scrambled around in the camping gear for an alternative to your electric stove. You found a portable gas stove, one match, a small grill, and a bag of charcoal briquettes. Because you have only one match and no other sources of fire, you must choose between using the portable gas stove or the charcoal grill. which will you choose and why?
We have a very small patio and I am finally ready to switch from charcoal to gas. (I know the food won't taste as good but it will be so much easier.) I have looked everywhere and all the nice gas grills are about 60" x 24". I have enough room for something maybe half that size. I looked at the Coleman travel grill but I really want a more permanent type with a warmer rack. Don't they make nice grills for people with tiny patios? By nice I mean something that is like the huge grills, not a $100.00 one from big Lots that will last maybe a year or two.
