Your home insurance premiums can go up in smoke this summer if you are not careful when grilling. According to Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker. This can lead to a lot of great meals. It can also lead to fires. The NFPA states that on average about 8,900 home fires involve grills, hibachis or barbecues per year. That number includes 3900 structure fires. (https://www.nfpa.org/) When it comes to grills, gas contributes to a higher number of fires than charcoal. July is also the month with the highest percent of grill fires.
How can I help prevent a grill fire?
One of the first things is to make sure your grill is safe and operating properly. First check to make sure the grill is in a good area. Is the grill away from anything that can catch fire like a railing or house? Next, open the grill and inspect it for anything flammable. Check for birds nest, animals or insects that could catch fire. Clean the grill Next, check to make sure that your gas grill is free of leaks. First check at the connection point between the propane tank and the grill. Next check the hose connection at the burners of the grill. After that check the hoses. To check you can use a brush to put soap and water on those areas. After the soap and water are applied turn on the grill and quickly check for bubbles. You can watch a video here. Finally, if the grill does not ignite, it is recommended that you wait five minutes for the gas to dissipate before trying to reignite.
What about after I start grilling?
After the you start to grill, continue to monitor for flammables getting too close to the grill. After that monitor where the burners are for any fire that has left the burner area. As you are cooking make sure that all food is cooked to the proper temperature. In addition to the temperature gauge it is a good idea to use a food thermometer. However, be careful with the metal parts of the thermometer. After that it is time to enjoy the food. Make sure the grill is turned off properly and enjoy.
What if I do have a claim or question?
If you have a claim question or a claim you can call us at 412-344-2800. You can also reach our companies via our company page or leave us a message via our client center. You can also find us on social media. We are on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. We hope that everyone has a safe and fun summer. Remember to not let your home insurance premiums go up in smoke when grilling this summer.
