Barbeque Safely
Every year in Ontario, people are injured needlessly while lighting their barbeques.
Reduce your risk by following some simple safety tips. With the lid open, strike your match or barbeque lighter before turning on the gas. When you’re finished barbequing, turn off the propane cylinder first and then the barbeque burners. Always use and store your barbeque and propane cylinders outdoors.
The Guelph Fire Department reminds residents that open air fires are not permitted in the city of Guelph. The Fire Prevention By-law also restricts the use of barbeques or grills on a balcony of any building with two or more dwelling units.
Barbeque Season is here!
So let’s get the grill ready to go! Spend a few minutes on your “Q”, and you’ll have a cleaner, safer running barbeque, that cooks food more evenly.
First let’s give the barbeque an inspection.
You should make a point of doing this every time you change a propane tank as well.
- Spray soapy water on the connections, and supply lines. If you see bubbles, turn off the tank, and try re-connecting. If it still bubbles, then gas is still leaking. Shut off the tank and get the leaky part replaced.
- Remove the grates and lava rocks, and check out the burner. If it looks good visually, then fire it up and make sure that you have an even flame throughout. If not, then replace it. Most burners only last 1 or 2 seasons, depending on how much you use your barbeque.
- Since you already have the lava rocks out, why not clean out all the ash and grease that’s accumulated at the bottom of the barbeque. While you’re cleaning, check the unit for rust, and any signs of deterioration.
- Don’t forget to check and clean out the venturi tubes that deliver the gas to the burner. If they get plugged up, the gas will get diverted elsewhere, and could pose a hazard.
Whenever you barbeque…
Make sure that the barbeque is at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) or better yet 10 feet (3 meters) from the house, or any other material that could catch fire.
Only open your propane tank a quarter to one-half turn. That’s all the gas your barbeque needs to operate, and if you have a problem, then it’s much easier to shut off.
Unless you’re keen on joining the space program, always open the barbeque lid before you light it. If it doesn’t fire up the first time you try it, then shut it down, and try it again in about 5 minutes.
From the time you light the barbeque, till you’re finished cooking, stay with your fire. Accidents can happen when you leave a barbeque unattended.
Safety First!
Always make sure that the barbeque is in a safe place, where kids and pets won’t touch or bump into it. Keep in mind that the barbeque will still be hot after you finish cooking, and anyone contacting the barbeque could be burned.
If you use a barbeque lighter, make sure you don’t leave it lying around where the kids can access it. It won’t take long for them to figure out how to use it.
When you’re finished barbequing, always make sure that you not only shut off the barbeque, but shut off the propane tank as well.
Always store propane tanks outside, in a well-ventilated area.
A few tips for charcoal grillers
- Never use gasoline to get the coals going. Instead, use charcoal lighting fluid.
- Let the lighter fluid soak into the coals for a minute or so before lighting it. That gives the explosive vapours a chance to dissipate.
- Stand back from the coals when you ignite them, and make sure you didn’t accidentally spill any fluid on yourself, or on any area surrounding the grill.
- Before you light the coals, make sure that you put the lighter fluid at a safe distance away from the fire.
- If the coals start to die out on you, don’t spray lighter fluid on the hot coals. You could end up with explosive results.
- Always extinguish the coals when you’re finished barbequing. Here’s a safe way to do it. Wearing oven mitts, take the coals out of the barbeque with tongs, and submerge them in a metal pail of water.
- Always make sure that you keep your fire safe from children.
Information provided by Staying Alive Inc. Visit stayingalive.ca for more safety tips.
