The P. Gagnon & Son Blog

15 Grilling Safety Tips for Summer

Don’t ruin a cookout with a trip to the emergency room!

grilling tips maineSummer in the Seacoast Region is a wonderful time. There are beach days, vacations, and fun time with family and friends.

If you’re hosting a cookout this summer and are using a propane grill, it is essential that you know propane safety best practices so everyone can have fun safely.

Propane grilling safety list

  1. Regularly clean your whole grill, not just the grates. One in five grill fires is caused by leftover grease.
  2. Check that the grease trap is empty before turning the grill on. Empty it if it isn’t.
  3. Keep the grill lid open until the fire is fully established when starting your grill. 
  4. Never, under any circumstances, use your propane BBQ grill indoors or in an enclosed or covered space like a garage or carport. Carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly odorless and colorless gas, can build up to dangerous levels.
  5. To minimize the danger of it tipping, the grill must be on a flat, level surface.
  6. The grill must be at least five feet away from the house, outdoor furniture, trees, shrubs, and any other combustible objects.
  7. Keep children and pets away from the grill.
  8. NEVER leave a lit grill unattended. Before you start the grill, make sure you have on hand everything you’ll need such as tongs, gloves, brushes, sauces, food, and platters.
  9. If the igniter on your grill is broken, don’t use it. Look into purchasing a grill with an automatic igniter if you don’t already have one.
  10. When you are done grilling, clean the grates and remember to turn off both the grill and the propane cylinder valve.
  11. Propane cylinders should never be stored indoors or in a garage, shed, carport, sunporch, or any other enclosed spot. 
  12. Propane cylinders must be kept outside in a shady, dry location with the valve end up and on a level surface. Ground that is wet can cause the cylinder to rust.
  13. Don’t store propane cylinders near fire or spark-producing equipment such as your grill.
  14. Keep your propane cylinders upright when bringing the to be exchanged or refilled. Even a cylinder you think is empty can still have enough propane to leak if it’s on its side. 
  15. Don’t keep a cylinder in your car for very long. It’s best to go straight to the cylinder exchange or refill station and go straight home. If you can’t, make the cylinder swap or refill the final stop before returning home.

Do you have questions about propane safety? Get in touch with P. Gagnon & Son and we’ll be happy to help!