The Facts
Did you know that a little under 6,000 annual grill fires occur at home? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, most of them are caused by malfunctioning gas grills. These accidents cause an average of $37 million in damage, 100 injuries and 10 fatalities. This amount does not even include the thousands of people who visit emergency rooms every year due to burning injuries during grilling.
It is important to know if your homeowners insurance provides the financial protection you need. A standard policy covers any damages to:
- The house itself
- Personal possessions, such as outside furniture
- Insured structures on your property, such as a shed or garage
or injuries to a guest, under the liability portion of the policy. To make sure your policy includes all/any of these, please contact Troy Insurance.
The Tips to Grill to Thrill
We want you to succeed safely in grilling to thrill all of your family, friends and guests this summer. Please read and check off the tips to help you achieve the best grilling experience!
- Check if Your Grill Has Been Recalled – Click here to be brought to the Consumer Product Safety Commission website where you can find out if your grill has been recalled due to unsafe features and flaws.
- Search for Blockages and Leaks – Clear any blockages caused by food drippings, spiders or insects with a wire or pipe cleaner. To check for leaks, create a solution of half liquid soap and half water along hoses and on connections. Open the valve at your tank and check to make sure that gas isn’t escaping, which will be indicated by bubbles at the leaking points.
- Adjust and Check Hoses – Make sure the grill hose is away from hot areas or where grease might drip on them. Check the hoses for cracks, holes and brittleness.
- Cover Your Grill – When the grill has cooled and is not in use, cover it. It helps protect its parts from inclement weather, falling leaves, and insect activity.
- Store Propane Tanks Outside – Put the propane tanks away from your house. Always check to make sure valves are firmly turned off.
Barbecuing Tips
- Use your barbecue on a level surface
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- Don’t move the grill once it is lit
- Keep children and pets away from the grill
- Protect yourself—or whoever is doing the grilling
- Use only lighter fluid designed for grilling
- Never grill indoors or in enclosed areas
- Wait until the grill is cooled before storing or covering
- Soak charcoal briquettes with water
In Case of Emergency . . .
Even if you do everything you can to prevent a grilling incident, accidents can still happen.
- In case of fire get out the fire extinguisher. If the fire continues or worsens, call 911.
- Address injuries immediately – Run cool water over minor burns, but do not cover injured areas with bandages. In the case of serious burns, take victims to the emergency room or an urgent care facility. If the burn heightens or you are unsure of how serious the burn is, call 911.
- Assess your property damage – After dealing with any injuries and the smoke subsides, assess your property damage. If needed, contact your insurance professional to discuss filing a claim or if you need to file a claim or not.
