If You Use a Gas Grill and Don’t Routinely Follow These Safety Precautions, You’re Playing With Fire

Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year about 30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Many of these fires and explosions occur when consumers use a grill that has been left idle for a while or just after refilling and reattaching the grill’s gas container.

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, consumers should routinely take these safety precautions:

* Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.

* Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

* Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can’t move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.

* Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.

* Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer’s instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.

* Keep lighted cigarettes, matches or open flames away from a leaking grill.

* Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet from your house or any building.

* Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport or porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.

* Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.

* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

* Use caution when storing LP gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Never store or use flammable liquids, such as gasoline, near the grill.

* To avoid accidents while transporting LP gas containers, transport the container in a secure, upright position.

* Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape. Consumers should use extreme caution and always follow manufacturer’s instructions when connecting or disconnecting LP gas containers.

* Grills manufactured after Oct. 1, 1995, are required to have three additional safety features to eliminate leak hazards: a device to limit the flow of gas in the event of hose rupture; a mechanism to shut off the grill; and a feature to prevent the flow of gas if the connection between the tank and the grill is not leakproof. Consumers should consider purchasing grills that have these safety features.

For more information, call (800) 638-2772.