Grilling comes with serious safety responsibilities. NFPA® data shows that between 2019 and 2023, gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year. Most of these fires were entirely preventable.
Grilling fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) offers important safety tips and guidelines for grilling fire safety. Following these simple safety practices protects you, your family and your property.
Common Causes of Grill Fires
- Failure to Clean:
Grease and debris buildup is a leading cause of flareups. - Improper Grill Placement:
Grills placed too close to dry vegetation, to combustible overhangs or other structures can greatly increase the risk of a fire. - Mechanical Malfunction:
Gas leaks, faulty ignition systems, and degraded hoses or valves can quickly lead to fires or explosions. - Operator Error:
Leaving the grill unattended, misusing fuel, or improper startup/shutdown procedures can cause accidents.
Proper Grill Placement and Supervision
Grills must be positioned at least 10 feet away from any structure, including walls, railings, and overhangs. Ensure the grill is on a stable, non-combustible surface and is not in proximity to combustible materials like dry leaves or deck furniture.
Operators should:
- Never leave an active grill unattended.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or suppressor (Class BC or multipurpose ABC) within reach.
- Use long-handled tools and heat-resistant gloves.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
Emergency Response Protocols
In the event of a flare-up or uncontrolled fire follow these safety steps:
Grease Fire: Do not use water. Instead, close the grill lid to starve the fire of oxygen and shut off fuel supply if safe to do so.
Gas Leak: If you suspect a gas leak while operating the grill and you cannot safely stop the leak, evacuate the area and call 911.
- For emergency cases always have fire extinguishers or suppressor on hand. A dry chemical extinguisher should be used for grill fires. However, a Fire Suppressor offers a cleaner and safer solution.
- Be familiar with the PASS technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.
Grilling Fire Safety – GreenFire® Fire Suppression Innovations
GreenFire® Fire Suppression Innovations offers a highly effective Fire Suppressor, perfect for grilling fire safety. Our GreenFire® Fire Suppressor is proven to extinguish multi-class fires* while also preventing re-ignition. Made entirely from eco-friendly ingredients, the GreenFire® Fire Suppressor has natural heat-absorbing properties which will put out fires quickly, helping to keep you and your property safe. GreenFire® Fire Suppressor is a class A-B wetting agent and is also effective on D, K and Li-Ion fires. (CAUTION: Do not use on Electrical Fires).
All FSI products are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and 100% PFAS free. They are also NSF certified. This means they are safe for use on and around food processing equipment. No Haz-Mat clean up required; just a simple wipe down with soap and water will render equipment and surfaces that have come in contact with GreenFire® suitable for contact with food once again. In other words, after using GreenFire during a grilling fire incident, cleanup is fast and non-toxic, allowing you to resume grilling promptly.
Practice grilling fire safety by using GreenFire® Fire Suppressor! Contact us today to place an order or learn more about our products.
*Note: GreenFire® Fire Suppressors are a suppression tool and not intended to replace NFPA 10 compliant fire extinguishers where required.
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