Summer bring the peak outdoor cooking season to North America, with U.S. grill masters “reaching for their spatulas, eager to usher in the long-awaited cooking season,” notes the National Fire Protection Association, which is already asking grillers to follow smart cooking safety precautions. NFPA’s most recent “Home Grill Fires” report indicated three out of five households own a gas grill, and from 2009 to 2013, an annual average of 8,900 home fires involved grills, hibachis, or barbecues and almost half of all grilling injuries involved thermal burns.
Grilling fires peak in July in the United States, followed by May, June, and August as the months with the highest numbers.
All types of grills pose a risk for fires and burn injuries, NFPA reports, adding that 27 percent of home grill fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch; another 27 percent started in a courtyard, terrace, or patio; and 8 percent began in the kitchen. “As friends and families get ready for the grilling season, make sure the grill is working properly and review safety tips,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA.
