04/22/05

Enjoy Grilling, But Stay Safe!

No longer is summer the only season to grill that burger, steak, or hot dog. Many of us now fire up our grills sooner in the year and delay putting them away until the first frost, and that’s why grill safety is more important than ever

To ensure safe cookouts, make sure someone tends the grill at all times. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like you to consider the following safety tips when cooking outdoors

• No charcoal cooker, brazier, hibachi or grill or any gasoline or other flammable liquid or liquefied petroleum (for example, propane) gas-fire stove or similar device shall be used or stored on the balconies or within 15 feet of any apartment building or other structures with similar occupancy. However, electric grills or pre-piped natural gas grills are permitted on both balconies and patios as long as they are designed or approved for lava rocks or permanent briquettes.
• Enforce a “kid-free zone” of 36 inches around the grill. Grills continue to give off heat long after cooking has stopped.
• Spare propane bottles should be stored outside away from the home. A back-yard shed is a good place. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up, operate and maintain your grill.
• Dispose of grill ashes in a safe fashion. Never place hot ashes in paper or plastic bags or containers only use metal containers for hot ashes!
• Never use any flammable or combustible liquids other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going. Never use any flammable or combustible liquids other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

For more fires safety information about cooking outdoors, please visit your local fire and rescue station or, contact the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Public Information and Life Safety Education at 703-246-3801 or 703-385-4419 (TTY) or visit our Web site at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.