As Memorial Day ushers in the unofficial beginning of summer, it presents an excellent opportunity to gather friends and family for a backyard BBQ and celebration. However, amidst the preparations for food and drinks, it is crucial to prioritize the safety of everyone present and prevent burn injuries. Unfortunately, grilling-related burns are a frequent occurrence and can lead to severe consequences, including disfigurement, emotional distress, and significant pain and suffering. To ensure a safe Memorial Day weekend, Lerner and Rowe’s BBQ burn injury lawyer provides the following guidelines and advice.
Nine Safety Tips to Avoid Grill Burns
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) claims that approximately 5,400 people visited hospital emergency rooms due to grill-related injuries in 2022. While many of these injuries were a result of simple carelessness, others were caused by negligence or defective products. The good news is that most grill accidents are highly preventable through simple safety measures. Here are nine barbecue grill safety tips that our BBQ burn injury lawyer team recommends.
Inspect Your Grill
Inspecting your grill before use is always important, but it’s especially so if a Memorial Day cookout is your first time grilling this season. Make sure that your grill is clean and free of grease, check any fuel lines, and look for cracks or other signs of damage.
It’s best to do this a few days in advance, so you have time to make any adjustments needed. Be especially wary of built-up grease; our BBQ burn injury lawyer has served many clients who have been burned due to flare-ups caused by grease.
Position Your Grill Properly
Make sure that your grill is positioned at least 10 feet away from your home or other structures, walkways, and trees–and farther away is even better. Your grill should be on a large, flat surface that can’t burn–like concrete or asphalt–and never on a porch or deck that could catch fire. It’s also imperative to make sure that exhaust from the grill doesn’t flow into your home in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Also keep any holiday decorations, hanging baskets, outdoor pillows, and patio umbrellas a safe distance away.
Wear the Right Clothes
Don’t wear long, blousy sleeves that could dangle over the grill. Also, watch your shirt tails and apron strings. Safety gloves are essential when handling grates or moving other hot objects. Welding gloves are inexpensive and offer a high degree of protection.
Start the Fire Carefully
To ensure your safety, it is advisable to employ a chimney or an electric fire starter when igniting your barbecue. Never use starter fluid if your charcoal or kindling is already ablaze. It is crucial to refrain from using combustible liquids like gasoline to initiate the fire. Our BBQ burn injury attorney has represented clients who have endured severe injuries due to attempting to ignite a barbecue fire with gasoline.
Don’t Overload Your Grill
Exercise caution when placing food on your grill, particularly when dealing with fatty meats. Avoid overloading the grill with excessive amounts of food, as an overflow of fat dripping onto the flames can potentially lead to hazardous and significant flare-ups.
Guard the Grill
If a grill is in use or is still hot, make sure an adult is watching it at all times. Ensure that children or pets don’t accidentally get burned or knock the grill over and cause a fire.
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) reported an average annual occurrence of 10,600 home fires related to grills, hibachis, or barbecues. The simple act of keeping a close eye on the grill can help you avoid these types of fires and the injuries they can cause.
Know How to Fight Flare-Ups
Have a fire extinguisher nearby to fight flare-ups or out-of-control fires. Make sure you know how to use it in a hurry. Don’t hesitate to call 911, because burns can occur if you’re trying to make your extinguisher work and can’t get the fire under control quickly. Also, know how to cut off fuel lines if you’re using propane.
Watch for Gas Leaks
If you’re using a natural gas or propane grill and smell gas as you’re cooking, immediately turn off the gas tank and burners. Get away from the grill and call the fire department if you continue to smell gas. But if it stops, make sure to have your grill professionally serviced prior to using it again.
Dispose of Coals Properly
Once you have completed your grilling session, it is important to dispose of the charcoal correctly. Ensure that the coals have cooled down entirely before transferring them into a metal receptacle. If needed, you can add water to the container for further safety measures.
Get Help from a BBQ Burn Injury Lawyer
If someone else’s negligence was the cause of your burn injuries at a Memorial Day cookout, contact a BBQ burn injury lawyer at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. Our team is always ready to help around the clock, every day of the week, either by phone at 844-977-1900 or through LiveChat on our website. Our consultations are free, and our attorneys only charge legal fees if we secure a financial compensation on your behalf.
Apart from receiving outstanding reviews for our compassionate and respectful treatment of every client, our lawyers have a remarkable history of achieving significant outcomes for injury victims across the country. Get in touch with us now to discover firsthand why Lerner and Rowe stands as one of America’s most trusted personal injury firms.