Patio season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than dusting off the old grill and cooking up a storm for your family, friends, or even the whole neighbourhood. As exciting as it can be to be the host of all the fun summer parties, where all the families around the block get together for the perfect steak, veggie burger, chicken, or thrilling side dish, safety should always be a first priority.

Why? Because, unfortunately, as amazing as they are, grills are a fire hazard. Here are some tips from LMBF to keep safe this summer for when it’s time to be the life of the barbecue party.

Tip no. 1: Position your grill away from your home.

It’s too convenient to place your grill just outside the back door against a railing for easier accessibility, but this can pose a fire hazard. Grills placed too close to other wood structures or to the house are a risk as they can heat up nearby materials. As a rule of thumb, always keep grills 10 feet away from the house.

It’s also not a bad idea to ensure that your grill is placed on a flat and level surface. Grills that are placed on uneven surfaces can tip over and cause a fire. Ensure that your grill is on a stable surface (such as concrete) so that it’s level while food is being cooked. If you live in a condo or an apartment with a balcony, you may be subject to different rules and regulations. Your building may permit grills under certain circumstances, and different municipalities may insist upon certain safety measures. A barbecue must be used at least 24 inches away from a window/door and must never be located within 18 inches of combustible materials. It should never be positioned in a stairway or a door and not be a nuisance to your neighbours (i.e., give off sparks or soot.)

Is your balcony made of a combustible material and/or does your use barbecue operate on briquettes? If so, it must be placed on sheet metal that expands more than 24 inches all around the grill.

Again, rules and regulations of your building/municipality may differ.

Tip no. 2: Clean your grill regularly.

If you barbecue regularly, grease can build up on the grill plates and even collect inside of the grease tray. If they aren’t cleaned, the accumulation of grease and debris can act as fuel and catch fire while the grill is being used to cook other food. Try to clean your charcoal/gas grill after each time you turn on your grill with a grill brush and empty the grease tray as soon as it begins to fill up.

Tip no. 3: Never leave your grill unattended.

No matter what is going on indoors, or what needs attention, never leave a grill unattended while it is in use! To operate, barbecues use high heat and open flames to cook food, which can become both a safety and a fire hazard if you aren’t careful. If you must leave the grill, ask another adult to watch over it for you.

Tip no. 4: Keep a spray bottle handy.

Sometimes, grills can flare up if any excess oils or fats drip out from the meat as it cooks, which can cause a section of the grill to remain ablaze, which can cause smoke to billow out from under the lid of your grill. Ensure you have a spray bottle filled with water handy at all times when you are grilling so that you can swiftly extinguish the smaller starts of flames before they worsen.

Tip no. 5: Always inspect your grill before you light it.

Before every use, repeat the typical fuel leak test by using a spray bottle filled with dish soap and water. Ensure children and pets stay away from the grill when you inspect it and, if this is the first time pulling it out for the season, clear away any winter buildup of debris and dust. Check around for cobwebs and clean inside your burner/burner tubes with the aid of a pipe cleaner.

Tip no. 6: If a fire does break out, use baking soda or salt.

Remember that baking soda or salt is the best thing to use for a grease fire, never water! You should have access to a nearby fire extinguisher (preferably one that is suitable for grill fires) and, if the grill fire is too large for you to safely handle by yourself, evacuate the area – ensuring pets and children are clear – and call 911 or your local fire department to handle the issue.

As a final note, before you barbecue, check with your homeowner’s association, landlord, or condominium association for building rules! Depending on where you live/who you are renting through, rules and regulations may differ!

Your Home Insurance and Fires.

As expected, your insurance company will want to ensure you are being the most diligent homeowner possible. Fires are the biggest possible hazard that could result out of grilling, so it’s not a bad idea to review your policy with the aid of a friendly LMBF home insurance broker to see if you would have coverage in the event a fire did occur. Typically, a standard home policy will cover the damages left by an unexpected fire, but it’s a good idea to check your limits to be sure that your policy would include the full cost to repair/replace the damaged items in your home.

The risk of fire is more significant if you grill more often, so you may want to take additional steps to ensure the safety of your home, its contents, and your family members. Doing so may even reward you with insurance premium reductions. Consider the addition of more complex smoke alarms and monitoring systems, or even Smart systems which can call the local fire department if a fire is detected.

Note that your home insurance premiums may be higher if you live far away from your local fire services, as response times will affect your rates. In addition, it’s a good idea to review your personal liability limits as this will protect you if someone is injured by your grill or on your property during a cookout and you find yourself facing significant lawsuit costs.

As always, LMBF Insurance is here to help you. If you have more questions regarding home insurance and fires, don’t hesitate to give us a call.