Safety Precautions Keep BBQ Tasty, Not Tragic

The only emergency you want to be concerned with at the grill this summer is running out of barbecue sauce. But a backyard barbecue can easily become a household blaze if you're not careful. With more than 3 million barbecues in use across the country, hundreds of Americans are injured each year due to gas and charcoal grill accidents.

Backyard grills caused approximately 7,400 house fires between 1989-1993, resulting in more than $22 million in property damage. Many of these fires and explosions occur when the grill is first fired up after being retrieved from winter storage.

As Californians prepare to light their grills this summer, the Insurance Information Network of California offers some safety tips to backyard chefs using gas or charcoal barbecues.

• Check for gas leaks.
  
• Do not wear baggy clothing when grilling.
  
• Place the grill at least 10 feet away from the house.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.
  
• Keep children away.
  
• Never use a grill indoors.
  

"Small charcoal grills are popular with renters because they're easy to set up and maintain, but they can be just as dangerous as a gas grill," said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. "And never use grills indoors. Charcoal gives off carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless - and lethal."

Carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills used indoors caused more than 30 deaths and 100 injuries in addition to those by gas grills.

Don't use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under any surface that can catch fire. Remember: Grills remain hot long after you finish barbecuing.