Avoiding Burn Injuries by Learning More About Safe Summer Grilling
If you are planning to barbecue on your patio or in your backyard this summer, it is important to know that grilling comes with burn injury risks that can be avoided if you take precautions. According to a recent report from ABC News, 7,000 Americans sustain personal injuries every year as a result of backyard grilling. In most of these incidents, consumers are not using the barbecues properly. Grilling accidents and injuries often affect the individual who is doing the barbecuing, but they can also impact other individuals on the property, or even on adjacent properties.
Barbecue grills can have product defects. For example, an NBC News report cited a case in which a barbecue grill created a fireball that was large enough to cause damage to three stories. In some cases, grills might not have an inherent defect in the design or manufacture of the product, but instead, might have what is known as a “marketing defect” or a “failure to warn.” In such situations, it may not be obvious that using the grill in a particular manner could result in injury. As such, the company may have a duty to warn consumers about the risks. According to that report, barbecue grills are linked to around 9,000 house fires every year.
Whether a barbecue grill is likely to cause a house fire or more localized damage on your patio or in your backyard, you should know that most of these accidents can be avoided. What can you do to prevent burn injuries this summer when grilling outside?
Safety Tips for Using Your Barbecue Grill
The ABC News report has some safety tips for things you should and should not do this summer when you are grilling. The report says you should do the following:
- Always set up your barbecue grill so that it is at least 10 feet away from your home.
- Always clean your grill. When grease and fat build up, they can create a sort of accelerant for a fire. “Flare ups” often occur as a result of grease buildup.
- If you are using a gas grill, always check for gas leaks before you begin barbecuing.
- Always keep a water spray bottle nearby to deal with minor “flare ups.”
- Always have a fire extinguisher on hand, and be sure that you know how to use it.
- If a grill “flare up” seems to be getting out of hand and you cannot deal with the fire immediately, call 911.
Now we have some “do not” tips for you. According to ABC News, you should avoid the following if you want to prevent burn injuries this summer:
- Never set up your barbecue grill underneath a wooden overhang. A fire in your grill can flare up, and it could lead to a fire above. This warning is applicable to both charcoal grills and gas grills.
- Never place patio or backyard decorations near your grill.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Never turn on the gas if your grill lid is closed. When you open the lid, a fireball can cause debilitating and even deadly injuries.
- Never put too much food on your grill. This can cause a large amount of fat to hit the fire, and a “flare up” might occur.
- Never use a barbecue grill indoors, including inside a garage or carport.
If you or someone you love sustained burn injuries because of another party’s negligence, contact a burn injury lawyer to determine your rights.
