Propane Safety Tips: How to Keep Your 4th of July Cookout Safe

This holiday marks the peak of grilling season, a delicious but potentially dangerous time. If your grill sparks a fire, it’s not just your property and loved ones at risk. The fire may spread to other homes or public lands. The following are just a few tips on how to keep your Independence Day safe when grilling:

Unless you have grilled recently, you will want to clean your grill. Give your propane grill a good scrub before you use it. Not only will this result in a cleaner, better taste of the food but it will also prevent the fat and grease buildup from becoming a fire hazard.

Before grilling those burgers, clean up the trays and grates with a steel brush, wipe clean with a wet towel and wash and dry the removable components completely. This helps to prevent the buildup from catching fire when you start up the grill.

A good rule of thumb is to always check your propane tank and hoses before you fire it up. Accidental fires that involve gas grills are most commonly caused by gas leaks and breaks.

Thoroughly examine your propane tank and the safety valve to make sure that vermin has not chewed through your hoses or that there are no blocked tubes. This will only take five minutes and can ultimately keep your friends and family safe.

When grilling this holiday, make sure your grill is outdoors and at least ten feet from the house. Your grill needs to be on a level surface that is clear of outdoor furniture, overhead trees or other potential fire hazards. Keep your grill at least two feet away from decks, siding or any outdoor equipment that can catch fire quickly.

Additionally, always use and store propane cylinders outdoors in an upright position.

Always follow the manufacturer’s lighting instructions when using your grill. With all grill models, keep the lid open and don’t lean over the grill when lighting. Also, with propane grills, you should never use starter fluid.

When not in use, turn off grill burner controls and make sure to close the valve closed.

Always have one responsible adult in charge of the flame at all times. Never leave a hot grill unattended.

Never compromise safety for convenience, it never works out well.

These are just a few tips on how to  keep your 4th of July cookout safe. Our team at Texas Propane wishes everyone a happy and safe Independence Day! If you have any questions on your propane tank or need to refill your cylinder, don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us with the link below!