Grilling Safety Tips From VA Fire Departments For Memorial Day

VIRGINIA — With many people staying at home to celebrate Memorial Day due to the coronavirus crisis, it's anticipated that backyard barbecues will be in widespread use over the course of this upcoming long holiday weekend and throughout the summer months. Fire and rescue departments across Northern Virginia have some safety tips to review first.

Fire safety experts recommend that you exercise caution and keep safety in mind when setting up, using and cleaning your BBQ grill.

Did you know that cooking, most notably unattended cooking, is one of the top cause of fires and fire-related injuries in Virginia? This includes both inside and outside cooking.

Each year, gas and charcoal grills cause about 1,500 structure fires and about 4,200 outdoor fires, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $29.8 million nationwide, according to the Fairfax City Fire Department. The use of unapproved grills on apartment and condominium balconies is especially unsafe and illegal.

The Arlington County Fire Department shared some information on open flame cooking devices heading into Memorial Day.

Grills must be used outdoors. Use of a grill indoors or in any enclosed space, such as tents, and garages, poses both a fire hazard and risk of exposure to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

• Position the grill 15 feet away from siding, deck railings, other combustibles, and out from under eaves or overhanging vegetation.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area. Declare a 3-foot “safe zone” around the grill.
• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by heat.
• Keep a garden hose or a portable fire extinguisher handy in case the fire gets out of control.

Charcoal Grills

• Only proper charcoal starter fluid should be used. Never use flammable or combustible liquid, other than charcoal starter fluid, to ignite the grill.
• Store charcoal starter fluid out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have been ignited.
• Charcoal ash can remain hot for several days, and can start a fire long after the grill has been used. Use caution when disposing of ashes and never store ashes in a plastic or other combustible container.
• Never bring a grill into the home. The carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal can be dangerous, even deadly, in an enclosed space.

Gas Grills

• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately turn off the gas supply, get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
• All gas cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices. OPDs shut off the flow of gas before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. You can easily identify OPDs by their triangular-shaped hand wheel.
• Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory and properly listed for the application (commercial, residential, etc.) Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on assembly, installation, use and maintenance.
• Never store propane gas cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
• Natural gas installations require permits and inspections by the county.

Apartment and Condo Grilling

The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal offers these grilling safety tips and laws for apartments and condo buildings.

• The use of open flame grills is prohibited if within 15 feet of an apartment building. This includes propane grills as well as charcoal grills.
• Small electric grills that do not produce an open flame are allowed under the fire code, however, they may be prohibited by the building management company.
• The Statewide Fire Prevention Code prohibits the storage of propane tanks within 10 feet of an apartment building.

In Arlington County, if you live in a high-rise or multi-family dwelling, remember that use or storage of open flame cooking devices is prohibited by county code unless the building and balcony or deck are protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Additionally, the use or storage of propane is prohibited in or on any building.

Allowed in apartments/condos

• Electric cookers
• Electric grills

Prohibited in apartments/condos

• Charcoal grills
• Propane grills
• Solid fuel grills
• Brazier or hibachi
• Liquefied petroleum gas-fired stove
• Smokers (solid, fueled, electric, gas)
• Flame-producing devices and/or open flames

With a little planning on everyone's part, this can be a safe Memorial Day weekend and summer cookout season for all of us, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue department.