HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Believe it or not, July 4th is next week! Everyone always gets excited for the national holiday, but also for the food made for the special occasion.
"This time of year, more people are going to be using grills and having outdoor activities and stuff," says Decatur Fire and Rescue Lt. Brandon Sivley, Community Risk Reduction Officer.
But it's important to use a bit more caution when using a grill. The NFPA says gas grills lead to around 9,000 house fires per year, with numbers peaking in July.
Here are a few tips to keep your family safe while grilling during July 4th and year-round:
1. Leave enough room between your house and the grill
Something some people may not think about is the elements getting in the way of the party. Sivley says, "One gust of wind are you've got a flammable object. It's instantaneous."
"You definitely got to keep your grill at least 10 to 15 feet away from your house. Having it right up against your house, if you have a flame up, you know, it can get up in your eaves," says Monrovia Volunteer Fire Rescue Lt. James Filley.
2. Keep your grill clean
When the grilling gets done, many people forget to clean their grill. But, with an easy fix, it could keep friends and family from risk. "We've all done it before where our grill is probably not as clean as we'd like it to be. We use it a bunch, especially with the great weather we've been having. That grease can really build up and they can flame up and it can cause some pretty, pretty bad damage," Filley said.
Sivley says, "A lot of our grill fires will start from having leftover fats and trash and stuff in the grill." One easy way to clean your grill is using a grill brush.
3. Never leave your grill unattended
One of the most important rules to remember, never leave the grill alone if you're the grill-master. Sivley says, "If there's any kids around, make sure they're not close enough to get burned."