Memorial Day is one of the most popular grilling days of the entire year. According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA), sixty percent of Americans plan on grilling this weekend. With that many people grilling, burn injuries are bound to happen. In fact, the month of May accounts for 14 percent of all grill fires. The only month with a higher percentage of grill fires is July.
From 2011 to 2015, an estimated 9,600 home fires occurred involving grills and other outdoor cooking equipment, such as barbeques and camp stoves. These fires resulted in an average of ten casualties per year, along with 160 reported injuries and $133 million in property damage. From 2012 to 2016, 16,600 people per year ended up in emergency rooms because of grill-related injuries; nearly half of the patients treated suffered burn injuries.
With all these burn injuries resulting from grills, what are some safety tips you should keep in mind to make sure your Memorial Day weekend goes according to plan and not in the emergency room?
Grilling Safety Tips
If you are worried about singeing your eyebrows off your face or severely burning your hand, don’t worry, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone is here to provide some grilling safety tips for you to keep in mind this holiday weekend:
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home. Farther the better!
- Make sure to clean your grill regularly. Grease buildup can lead to larger flames
- Make sure your gas tank is connected properly
- Don’t turn on the gas while the grill lid is closed
- Keep holiday decorations (especially flammable ones) away from the grill
- Have a fire extinguisher and water source nearby
- Never leave your grill unattended
- Don’t use your grill indoors or in an enclosed surface
If you follow these safety tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the perfect grilled burger or steak from the comfort of your backyard get-together instead of the hospital. If your grill is responsible for causing burn injuries to others, you might be on the wrong end of a lawsuit, especially if it was caused by your negligence. Sometimes, a faulty grill can cause a fire to begin. If that is the determined cause, you may be able to take legal action against the grill manufacturer.
Regardless of the cause, consulting with an experienced attorney after a grill-related fire should be in your best interests. The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone is experienced in a variety of burn injury claims. Contact our law offices today for a free consultation.
Happy Memorial Day!
To the brave heroes who have fought and continue to fight for our nation, The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone thanks you.