Practice Safe Grilling: St.John's Regional Fire Department

Fire in the grill, under hot dogs and burgers, is a welcome sight at the family cookout. But fire anywhere else can make your summer kick-off barbecue memorable for all the wrong reasons. To keep you and your family safe, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department offers the following safety guidelines.

BEFORE BARBECUING:

• Always read the owner’s manual before using your grill and follow specific usage, assembly, and safety procedures.
• The grill should be placed on a stable, non-combustible surface, 10 feet away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill area.
• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
• With gas grills, always ensure connections are tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

• Use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container on a non-combustible surface.

DURING BARBECUING

• Wear clothing that does not have hanging shirt tails, frills or apron strings that can catch fire, and use flame-retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents.
• Never leave a grill unattended once it is lit.
• Use barbecue utensils with long handles (forks, tongs, etc.) to avoid burns and splatters.

AFTER BARBECUING

• After each use, turn off the propane cylinder valve first, then the “on/off” valve on the barbecue. This will prevent any propane becoming trapped in the hose when the barbecue is in use.
• Never store propane gas cylinders indoors.
• Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline near the grill.

Be fire safe this summer and you will be on your way to safe grilling. For further information on this matter or any other fire safety concerns within the region served by the SJRFD, please call 576-3905.

For more information contact:
Captain Mike Maher
Fire Prevention Officer
St. John’s Regional Fire Department
(709) 576-3905
E-mail: fireprevention@stjohns.ca