Fire House Facts & Tips on BBQ Grill Safety

06/21/2012 | Kayla Holiman, Fire Inspector

The Yuma Fire Department responded to 237 emergency calls for service:

• 11 Commercial Assignments
  Including: A dumpster fire endangering a commercial building, a fence on fire near condominiums, the smell of ammonia at a cooler, a burned out light ballast at a business, a shed fire in an RV park, a vehicle fire, cardboard baling machine fire at a business, and various alarms
• 1 Hazardous Materials Assignments
  Including: A resident concerned that sludge removed from a canal might contain hazardous materials
• 14 Motor Vehicle Crashes
  Including: 1 involving a bicycle, 1 involving a motorcycle, 2 involving pedestrians, and 1 involving three vehicles
• 189 Other Medical Emergencies (serious to minor)
  Including: 5 for difficulty breathing, 12 for chest pain, 17 fall victims, 7 unconscious people, 2 seizure cases, 20 people with psychiatric problems, 31 trauma injuries, 8 diabetic emergencies, 3 strokes, 3 dehydrated people, 1 near drowning, a child locked inside of a vehicle, and other illnesses and injuries
• 22 Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments
  Including: two calls for dogs locked inside of vehicles, cats stuck in the attic of a home, two trash fires, a vehicle fire, a barbecue fire endangering a home, a fire outside of a home due to an unattended barbecue grill, the smell of natural gas at a residence, several calls for smoke seen in neighborhoods, and various alarms

BBQ Grill Safety

Last week two of YFD's fire calls were for barbecue's that either caused a fire at a home, or nearly caused a fire at a home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,400 structure fires and 4,800 outside fires. These 8,200 fires caused an annual average of 15 civilian deaths, 120 civilian injuries and $75 million in direct property damage.

Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors, well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under the eaves and overhanging branches. Always watch what you heat when using a grill. Both of last week's fires started when the grills were unattended. Be sure that fires are completely out before transporting grills or placing them with other items that could be ignited. Make sure grills have a safe zone around them free of dry grass, flammable liquids, or clutter that could ignite. Never use gasoline to start fires, or keep gasoline anywhere near to an ignition source (like a water heater, furnace, etc.). Gasoline releases flammable vapors at temperatures as low as 45 degrees. Also remember to always checks gas tanks and hoses for leaks before using propane grills.

For More Information

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Mike Erfert or Kayla Holiman at 373-4850.