BBQ Fire Safety

Enjoy a hot summer without getting burned! During barbecue season, these tips from St. John’s Regional Fire Department could keep you safe.

• Ensure new barbeques are properly assembled. Read the owner’s manual and store somewhere for easy reference.

• Keep your grill clean. Periodically remove grease or fat build up in the trays below so it won’t cause a fire.

• Ensure the lid is open before lighting it.

• Keep a safe distance from your deck railings, house and structures and do not use under overhangs. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the minimum distance requirements.

• Keep children and pets away from grills. Declare a 1 metre (3 feet) “safe zone” around the grill.

• Only use propane and charcoal barbecue grills outdoors.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use and never leave it unattended.

• When you are finished barbecuing, turn off the propane tank cylinder valve first, then the on/off valve on the barbecue. This will prevent propane from becoming trapped in the hose.

• Never store propane cylinders indoors.

• If using a charcoal grill, allow coals to cool completely, and then dispose of them in a metal container with a metal lid and store away from your home.

• Make sure the hose connection on a gas grill is tight and check periodically for leaks. You can apply soapy water and if there is a leak, bubbles will appear. If there is a leak and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least five minutes before re-lighting it.

For more information, contact Fire Prevention at 709-576-3905 or fireprevention@stjohns.ca.