Grilling Safety

WARNING - If you're cleaning your grill with a metal brush, stop now.

• In 2021, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just issued a warning to grillers, cautioning against using wire grill brushes, as the bristles can become embedded in food and swallowed, potentially causing serious injury or even death.
• Nearly 1,700 U.S. residents went to the hospital with metal grill brush injuries between 2002 and 2014. On average, 130 injuries are reported a year.
• The most common locations of grill brush bristle injuries are the mouth and throat, but metal grill brush bristles can cause more serious injuries to the lower digestive tract; including gastrointestinal perforations. To remove the bristles, requires surgery.
• The CPSC recommends using either nylon grill brushes, which have softer bristles that are less likely to cause injury, or balled-up aluminum foil to clean your grill instead of metal bristle brushes.

MASSACHUSETTS GRILLING SAFETY TIPS AND REGULATIONS:

• Always grill outdoors.
• Grills must be 10 feet from the side of a building unless the manufacturer's instructions say it can be closer. Make sure grills are not underneath overhanging branches.
• Grills cannot be used on a porch, balcony or deck with a roof, overhang or wall (other than the exterior of the building).
• Grills can only be used on open first floor porches, decks or patios if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or the porch is at ground level.
• Grills cannot be used on fire escapes.
• Place grills away from the house and deck railings.
• Keep all matches, lighters and lighter fluid away from children.
• Keep children and pets 3 feet away from grills. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders.

GAS GRILL SAFETY

Safe Cooking:

• Open the grill lid when you light it. Propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off.
• If you smell gas while cooking, turn off and get away from the grill. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
• Always turn off the burners and close the propane cylinder when done cooking.
• NEVER leave a burning grill unattended.
• NEVER use a wire brush for cleaning your grill – the wire bristles can come off, stick to the grill and end up in the food you are cooking. If ingested, they cause serious injury!

Handling Propane:

• Keep all propane outdoors, at least 10 feet away from building openings such as doors, windows and dryer vents, and 20 feet away from air intake vents and ignition sources.
• Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.
• Store propane cylinders upright in an outdoor, shaded area; do not leave cylinders in a vehicle; cylinders should not be used, stored, or transported where they can be exposed to high temperatures. 

Gas Grill Care and Maintenance:

• Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for the care and maintenance of your gas grill.
• Check that all connections are tight before turning on the gas.
• Detect leaks by dabbing the connections with a solution of soapy water and turning on the gas momentarily. If bubbles occur, there is a leak that must be fixed before the grill is used. Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
• Check the tubes to the burners for blockages resulting from insect nests or from grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockages.
• Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
• Take tanks and grills that need repair to a propane dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.
• Replace propane cylinders that are old, rusty, or showing any other signs of disrepair.

CHARCOAL GRILL SAFETY

• Remove charcoal grill cover and grate before lighting.
• Open bottom damper and the vent on the grill cover before lighting.
• Mount the charcoal briquettes in the center of the bottom grill grate; using only enough for what you are cooking.
• Wear a grilling glove and use a long-reach lighter to safely light the briquettes.
• If you must use it, only us charcoal starter fluid. Gasoline and kerosene should not be used to start a fire in a grill. NEVER add lighter fluid to burning briquettes or hot coals. Doing so may cause a flash fire and result in serious burn injuries.
• Charcoal briquettes give off carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area and keep at least 10 feet away from any building or overhang. Never use charcoal grills indoors.
• For proper disposal of grill ashes, allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for at least 48 hours before disposal.
• If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.
• Always dispose of cooled ashes in a metal container with a well-fitting lid. Never store this metal container next to any building, railing or under any overhang.

Grilling Safety Tips from the NFPA: https://youtu.be/-AYBZzLDO04

Grilling Fire Safety from FEMA: https://youtu.be/v2k6rNOCrz4