Posted by: Lara's Services Group LLC on July 15, 2022
July is National Grilling Month! Celebrate Safely with Fire Prevention Tips
What is your favorite thing to throw on the grill in the summer? Burgers? Hot dogs? Vegetables? Potatoes? While warm weather and summertime grill outs seem to go hand in hand, so do fires from outdoor cooking.
Did you know, according to the National Fire Protection Association, 10,600 fires are reported annually from grilling? These can be extremely damaging and costly especially during the hot and dry summer months.
Learn how you can still enjoy National Grilling Month in July while still protecting the safety of your and your loved ones with these simple tips everyone can observe while grilling:
Fire Hazards in Your Area?
Pull your grill away from any low hanging branches, wooden objects, or other fire-starting hazards. Dry conditions can make these hazards even more flammable than you’d expect, so make sure to clear your cooking area before firing up the grill.
Don’t Leave Your Grill Unattended
Fires can happen quickly, never leave your grill unattended while you have open flames. Grease from your food or a strong gust of wind can quickly make your flames unmanageable. It is also good practice to have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.
Make Sure Everything is Extinguished Before Walking Away
Whether you are cooking with charcoal or gas, it is important to make sure your fire, or potential for fire, is completely extinguished. Douse your coals with water until they are no longer smoking to make sure that the potential for fire is eliminated. You should also make sure that the gas connection to your grill is turned off or closed before you finish grilling to prevent leaks and sparks from starting a fire.
Clean Out Your Grill Regularly Did you lose part of a hamburger patty while you were grilling?
Maybe a piece of potato slipped through the grates? Were those last steaks you grilled have a high fat content that dripped while they cooked? These small pieces of food can quickly add up and cause a small fire in the base of your grill. Make sure you take the time to regularly clean out the bottom and sides of your grill. It will help you prevent a fire in the future and also help your foods cook more evenly in the long run!
Frequently Asked Questions
DIY soot removal is not recommended. Commercially available products can actually cause permanent damage to surfaces. Soot itself is primarily oil-based, but that residue also contains toxic, possibly biohazard contaminants.
It's never a quick fix, though we've gathered together a multi-discipline team of contractors and technicians to work in tandem to complete the work as soon as possible. From structural repairs to sand/soda-blasting to odor removal to contents cleaning, our fire damage restoration crew begins as soon as the project scope is determined, and we don't stop until the job is done and both you and the insurance company are satisfied with the results.
Depending on the extent or location of the fire damage, some homeowners can move back in a few days or longer. The fire department will usually turn off electricity and gas to the property right away, and that won't be restored until a building inspector says that it's safe to turn those utilities back on. If you experienced significant smoke damage and the home's occupants include elderly persons, young children, or those with chronic health conditions, it may be wise to stay until the smoke cleanup is complete. Contracting with a company experienced in fire damage restoration can often get you back home sooner, because they'll have the resources to hire and manage the many tradespeople who will need to work together to make the home liveable again.
Smoke damage is rarely limited to one area of the house, and it leaves behind a residue that can hide in crevices and out-of-reach areas, and a simple "airing out" may not be sufficient. We recommend consulting with a smoke damage technician who can help you troubleshoot the next steps.
Most often, yes. You'll need to check your specific policy for the full scope of coverage, but in general, if the damage was caused by a flame, it's covered. Your best bet is to hire a professional restoration to help you through the claims process. We know how to avoid some common missteps when it comes to making sure the entire loss is documented and covered. Many homeowners and insurance companies forget, for instance, to consider that your HVAC system will need to be cleaned of soot, and, since fires are extinguished using water, many areas of your home may need to be restored due to water damage even if they weren't directly affected by the fire.
