Keep a lookout during your cookout & avoid grill injuries

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

When you think back to your favorite memories about the summer, there is a good chance you celebrated summer by sharing a meal. Maybe it was a family picnic with ripe watermelon on the fourth of July, or it could have been an end-of-school-year BBQ with hot dogs and burgers. All parents want injury-free summer festivities, so our team has shared best practices to create a safe cooking environment. Grill safety is so impotant, and so is food safety. Be sure to also invite food safety to your next BBQ.

Grilling can be dangerous

Grill Fires: The National Fire Protection Association reports over 10,000 grill fires every year. These dangerous fires are primarily during the summer months, with May through August making up nearly 60% of all annual grill fires. Additionally, the majority of grill fires happen in the evening hours, between 5 and 8 pm.

Grill Injuries: An average of 19,700 patients per year went to the emergency room due to injuries involving grills. About 39% of those injured are children under 5 years old.

How to avoid grilling injuries

1. Pick the Right Spot to Get Cooking

Always use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.‍

Keep your grill away from structures: If you’re grilling at home, the grill should be at least ten feet away from your house (or any structure, including a garage or deck). Grill flare-ups can be unexpected, so it is also best to place your grill in the open, away from overhead objects, such as tree branches or wooden overhangs. Remember to move away from umbrellas, hanging lights, and decorations as well. These items are usually made from synthetic material and burn quickly if they catch fire.

Place grills a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic: It can be easy for excited children to wander or accidentally play too close to the hot BBQ. Most grill injuries are not caused by exposure to grill flames, they are caused by children bumping into the hot metal surface outside the grill. In addition to setting the grill away from the house, the BBQ should also be out of the way of any activity.

Remind your family to keep their distance. Actively keep children, pets, and anything that can burn, including food wrappers, towels, and oven mitts at least three feet away from open flames and the grill. If a family member gets seriously burned, you should seek medical attention. You can learn about how to identify and respond to burns here.

2. Use Your Equipment Properly

At the start of each summer and after long periods of unuse, be sure to check your equipment for rust and unsafe damage. ‍

Gas Grills

If you use a gas grill, don’t forget to check all hoses for abrasions or leaks before each use. You can apply a soap and water mixture or children’s bubbles to test for gas leaks. Simply apply a light layer of soapy water to the hose. A propane leak will create bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, turn off both the gas tank and the grill, tighten or replace the hose, or get the grill serviced. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Learn more about how to detect leaks in this video.

Always be certain to open the grill before lighting it. This will prevent flammable gas from building up before you light it. If the flame goes out while you are grilling, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

If you use a charcoal grill, do not light your BBQ until after the lighter fluid has soaked into the charcoal or wood chunks and the fluid is capped and a safe distance from the grill. Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm, and never use gasoline or kerosene because they can explode.

Before disposing of ashes, allow coals to burn out entirely and let ashes cool for at least 48 hours. Then, wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them in a non-combustible container. If you must dispose of ashes before they are entirely cooled, place them in heavy-duty foil and soak with water completely before placing them in a non-combustible container.

‍

3. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even the most experienced grill masters can make a mistake. A grill fire can happen in just seconds.

Know your fire extinguisher

You can instantly calm minor grill flare-ups by spraying water on the grill. Be sure to keep a spray bottle of water at arm’s length, but also keep a fire extinguisher a few steps away from your grill as well.

If possible, you should have at least one A-B-C- rated fire extinguisher in your home. A-B-C fire extinguishers are multipurpose and work on different types of fires, including ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper, flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, and oil, and electrically energized fires.

Check your fire extinguisher periodically for dents, rust, or damaged hoses.

Some fire extinguishers are single-use, but others need to be refilled or recharged. Read the instructions for your extinguisher so you’re familiar with how it works before a fire breaks out. You can also contact your local fire department for information about fire extinguisher training.

Don’t lose precious moments trying to figure out how your extinguisher works. Always remember to PASS.

Pull the pin. Point the extinguisher nozzle away from you and release the lock.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher, get away from the flames, and call 911. Most portable extinguishers empty in eight seconds.

‍

As your family enjoys your cookout, remember that these tips are only one part of a safe summer celebration. Be sure to also prepare food safely, and wear plenty of sunscreen.

‍

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

When you think back to your favorite memories about the summer, there is a good chance you celebrated summer by sharing a meal. Maybe it was a family picnic with ripe watermelon on the fourth of July, or it could have been an end-of-school-year BBQ with hot dogs and burgers. All parents want injury-free summer festivities, so our team has shared best practices to create a safe cooking environment. Grill safety is so impotant, and so is food safety. Be sure to also invite food safety to your next BBQ.

Grilling can be dangerous

Grill Fires: The National Fire Protection Association reports over 10,000 grill fires every year. These dangerous fires are primarily during the summer months, with May through August making up nearly 60% of all annual grill fires. Additionally, the majority of grill fires happen in the evening hours, between 5 and 8 pm.

Grill Injuries: An average of 19,700 patients per year went to the emergency room due to injuries involving grills. About 39% of those injured are children under 5 years old.

How to avoid grilling injuries

1. Pick the Right Spot to Get Cooking

Always use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.‍

Keep your grill away from structures: If you’re grilling at home, the grill should be at least ten feet away from your house (or any structure, including a garage or deck). Grill flare-ups can be unexpected, so it is also best to place your grill in the open, away from overhead objects, such as tree branches or wooden overhangs. Remember to move away from umbrellas, hanging lights, and decorations as well. These items are usually made from synthetic material and burn quickly if they catch fire.

Place grills a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic: It can be easy for excited children to wander or accidentally play too close to the hot BBQ. Most grill injuries are not caused by exposure to grill flames, they are caused by children bumping into the hot metal surface outside the grill. In addition to setting the grill away from the house, the BBQ should also be out of the way of any activity.

Remind your family to keep their distance. Actively keep children, pets, and anything that can burn, including food wrappers, towels, and oven mitts at least three feet away from open flames and the grill. If a family member gets seriously burned, you should seek medical attention. You can learn about how to identify and respond to burns here.

2. Use Your Equipment Properly

At the start of each summer and after long periods of unuse, be sure to check your equipment for rust and unsafe damage. ‍

Gas Grills

If you use a gas grill, don’t forget to check all hoses for abrasions or leaks before each use. You can apply a soap and water mixture or children’s bubbles to test for gas leaks. Simply apply a light layer of soapy water to the hose. A propane leak will create bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, turn off both the gas tank and the grill, tighten or replace the hose, or get the grill serviced. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Learn more about how to detect leaks in this video.

Always be certain to open the grill before lighting it. This will prevent flammable gas from building up before you light it. If the flame goes out while you are grilling, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

If you use a charcoal grill, do not light your BBQ until after the lighter fluid has soaked into the charcoal or wood chunks and the fluid is capped and a safe distance from the grill. Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm, and never use gasoline or kerosene because they can explode.

Before disposing of ashes, allow coals to burn out entirely and let ashes cool for at least 48 hours. Then, wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them in a non-combustible container. If you must dispose of ashes before they are entirely cooled, place them in heavy-duty foil and soak with water completely before placing them in a non-combustible container.

‍

3. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even the most experienced grill masters can make a mistake. A grill fire can happen in just seconds.

Know your fire extinguisher

You can instantly calm minor grill flare-ups by spraying water on the grill. Be sure to keep a spray bottle of water at arm’s length, but also keep a fire extinguisher a few steps away from your grill as well.

If possible, you should have at least one A-B-C- rated fire extinguisher in your home. A-B-C fire extinguishers are multipurpose and work on different types of fires, including ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper, flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, and oil, and electrically energized fires.

Check your fire extinguisher periodically for dents, rust, or damaged hoses.

Some fire extinguishers are single-use, but others need to be refilled or recharged. Read the instructions for your extinguisher so you’re familiar with how it works before a fire breaks out. You can also contact your local fire department for information about fire extinguisher training.

Don’t lose precious moments trying to figure out how your extinguisher works. Always remember to PASS.

Pull the pin. Point the extinguisher nozzle away from you and release the lock.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher, get away from the flames, and call 911. Most portable extinguishers empty in eight seconds.

‍

As your family enjoys your cookout, remember that these tips are only one part of a safe summer celebration. Be sure to also prepare food safely, and wear plenty of sunscreen.

‍

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

When you think back to your favorite memories about the summer, there is a good chance you celebrated summer by sharing a meal. Maybe it was a family picnic with ripe watermelon on the fourth of July, or it could have been an end-of-school-year BBQ with hot dogs and burgers. All parents want injury-free summer festivities, so our team has shared best practices to create a safe cooking environment. Grill safety is so impotant, and so is food safety. Be sure to also invite food safety to your next BBQ.

Grilling can be dangerous

Grill Fires: The National Fire Protection Association reports over 10,000 grill fires every year. These dangerous fires are primarily during the summer months, with May through August making up nearly 60% of all annual grill fires. Additionally, the majority of grill fires happen in the evening hours, between 5 and 8 pm.

Grill Injuries: An average of 19,700 patients per year went to the emergency room due to injuries involving grills. About 39% of those injured are children under 5 years old.

How to avoid grilling injuries

1. Pick the Right Spot to Get Cooking

Always use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.‍

Keep your grill away from structures: If you’re grilling at home, the grill should be at least ten feet away from your house (or any structure, including a garage or deck). Grill flare-ups can be unexpected, so it is also best to place your grill in the open, away from overhead objects, such as tree branches or wooden overhangs. Remember to move away from umbrellas, hanging lights, and decorations as well. These items are usually made from synthetic material and burn quickly if they catch fire.

Place grills a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic: It can be easy for excited children to wander or accidentally play too close to the hot BBQ. Most grill injuries are not caused by exposure to grill flames, they are caused by children bumping into the hot metal surface outside the grill. In addition to setting the grill away from the house, the BBQ should also be out of the way of any activity.

Remind your family to keep their distance. Actively keep children, pets, and anything that can burn, including food wrappers, towels, and oven mitts at least three feet away from open flames and the grill. If a family member gets seriously burned, you should seek medical attention. You can learn about how to identify and respond to burns here.

2. Use Your Equipment Properly

At the start of each summer and after long periods of unuse, be sure to check your equipment for rust and unsafe damage. ‍

Gas Grills

If you use a gas grill, don’t forget to check all hoses for abrasions or leaks before each use. You can apply a soap and water mixture or children’s bubbles to test for gas leaks. Simply apply a light layer of soapy water to the hose. A propane leak will create bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, turn off both the gas tank and the grill, tighten or replace the hose, or get the grill serviced. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Learn more about how to detect leaks in this video.

Always be certain to open the grill before lighting it. This will prevent flammable gas from building up before you light it. If the flame goes out while you are grilling, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

If you use a charcoal grill, do not light your BBQ until after the lighter fluid has soaked into the charcoal or wood chunks and the fluid is capped and a safe distance from the grill. Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm, and never use gasoline or kerosene because they can explode.

Before disposing of ashes, allow coals to burn out entirely and let ashes cool for at least 48 hours. Then, wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them in a non-combustible container. If you must dispose of ashes before they are entirely cooled, place them in heavy-duty foil and soak with water completely before placing them in a non-combustible container.

‍

3. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even the most experienced grill masters can make a mistake. A grill fire can happen in just seconds.

Know your fire extinguisher

You can instantly calm minor grill flare-ups by spraying water on the grill. Be sure to keep a spray bottle of water at arm’s length, but also keep a fire extinguisher a few steps away from your grill as well.

If possible, you should have at least one A-B-C- rated fire extinguisher in your home. A-B-C fire extinguishers are multipurpose and work on different types of fires, including ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper, flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, and oil, and electrically energized fires.

Check your fire extinguisher periodically for dents, rust, or damaged hoses.

Some fire extinguishers are single-use, but others need to be refilled or recharged. Read the instructions for your extinguisher so you’re familiar with how it works before a fire breaks out. You can also contact your local fire department for information about fire extinguisher training.

Don’t lose precious moments trying to figure out how your extinguisher works. Always remember to PASS.

Pull the pin. Point the extinguisher nozzle away from you and release the lock.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher, get away from the flames, and call 911. Most portable extinguishers empty in eight seconds.

‍

As your family enjoys your cookout, remember that these tips are only one part of a safe summer celebration. Be sure to also prepare food safely, and wear plenty of sunscreen.

‍

When you think back to your favorite memories about the summer, there is a good chance you celebrated summer by sharing a meal. Maybe it was a family picnic with ripe watermelon on the fourth of July, or it could have been an end-of-school-year BBQ with hot dogs and burgers. All parents want injury-free summer festivities, so our team has shared best practices to create a safe cooking environment. Grill safety is so impotant, and so is food safety. Be sure to also invite food safety to your next BBQ.

Grilling can be dangerous

Grill Fires: The National Fire Protection Association reports over 10,000 grill fires every year. These dangerous fires are primarily during the summer months, with May through August making up nearly 60% of all annual grill fires. Additionally, the majority of grill fires happen in the evening hours, between 5 and 8 pm.

Grill Injuries: An average of 19,700 patients per year went to the emergency room due to injuries involving grills. About 39% of those injured are children under 5 years old.

How to avoid grilling injuries

1. Pick the Right Spot to Get Cooking

Always use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.‍

Keep your grill away from structures: If you’re grilling at home, the grill should be at least ten feet away from your house (or any structure, including a garage or deck). Grill flare-ups can be unexpected, so it is also best to place your grill in the open, away from overhead objects, such as tree branches or wooden overhangs. Remember to move away from umbrellas, hanging lights, and decorations as well. These items are usually made from synthetic material and burn quickly if they catch fire.

Place grills a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic: It can be easy for excited children to wander or accidentally play too close to the hot BBQ. Most grill injuries are not caused by exposure to grill flames, they are caused by children bumping into the hot metal surface outside the grill. In addition to setting the grill away from the house, the BBQ should also be out of the way of any activity.

Remind your family to keep their distance. Actively keep children, pets, and anything that can burn, including food wrappers, towels, and oven mitts at least three feet away from open flames and the grill. If a family member gets seriously burned, you should seek medical attention. You can learn about how to identify and respond to burns here.

2. Use Your Equipment Properly

At the start of each summer and after long periods of unuse, be sure to check your equipment for rust and unsafe damage. ‍

Gas Grills

If you use a gas grill, don’t forget to check all hoses for abrasions or leaks before each use. You can apply a soap and water mixture or children’s bubbles to test for gas leaks. Simply apply a light layer of soapy water to the hose. A propane leak will create bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, turn off both the gas tank and the grill, tighten or replace the hose, or get the grill serviced. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Learn more about how to detect leaks in this video.

Always be certain to open the grill before lighting it. This will prevent flammable gas from building up before you light it. If the flame goes out while you are grilling, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

If you use a charcoal grill, do not light your BBQ until after the lighter fluid has soaked into the charcoal or wood chunks and the fluid is capped and a safe distance from the grill. Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm, and never use gasoline or kerosene because they can explode.

Before disposing of ashes, allow coals to burn out entirely and let ashes cool for at least 48 hours. Then, wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place them in a non-combustible container. If you must dispose of ashes before they are entirely cooled, place them in heavy-duty foil and soak with water completely before placing them in a non-combustible container.

‍

3. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even the most experienced grill masters can make a mistake. A grill fire can happen in just seconds.

Know your fire extinguisher

You can instantly calm minor grill flare-ups by spraying water on the grill. Be sure to keep a spray bottle of water at arm’s length, but also keep a fire extinguisher a few steps away from your grill as well.

If possible, you should have at least one A-B-C- rated fire extinguisher in your home. A-B-C fire extinguishers are multipurpose and work on different types of fires, including ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper, flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, and oil, and electrically energized fires.

Check your fire extinguisher periodically for dents, rust, or damaged hoses.

Some fire extinguishers are single-use, but others need to be refilled or recharged. Read the instructions for your extinguisher so you’re familiar with how it works before a fire breaks out. You can also contact your local fire department for information about fire extinguisher training.

Don’t lose precious moments trying to figure out how your extinguisher works. Always remember to PASS.

Pull the pin. Point the extinguisher nozzle away from you and release the lock.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher, get away from the flames, and call 911. Most portable extinguishers empty in eight seconds.

‍

As your family enjoys your cookout, remember that these tips are only one part of a safe summer celebration. Be sure to also prepare food safely, and wear plenty of sunscreen.

‍

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About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.