Can you imagine it? You start up the grill, run into the house to grab the hamburgers and hotdogs and then you hear the scream of pain? I heard it just last year. Our four-year-old grandson was playing in a different part of the yard with the dogs, and I did not think he could even get to the grill in the matter of seconds it took for me to run into the kitchen. Luckily, he only hurt the palm of his hand and immediately took his hand away from the hot surface. So many others are not so lucky.
Every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association, “An average of 19,700 patients visit emergency rooms across the country with grilling-related injuries. Forty-eight percent suffered thermal burns, and 4 in 10 of these thermal burn patients are children under the age of 5.”
So, how do we keep our kiddos safe? Here are just a few safety tips:
- Set up your grill on a flat, sturdy surface at least 3 feet from any structure.
- Keep the grill lid open. A closed lid can cause gas to accumulate, which can lead to an explosion when you light the grill.
- National Fire Protection Association guidelines recommend storing propane tanks in an upright position at least 10 feet from doors, windows, or dryer vents, and at least 20 feet from your home’s air intake vents. Do not store propane in a garage.
- Grill manufacturers Kingsford and Char-Broil both recommend closing the lid to suffocate the embers and leaving the ashes to cool for 48 hours.
- Gather your food, platters, utensils, and other grilling materials before you begin cooking.