NEW! Safe Outdoor Grilling Tips

Gas and charcoal BBQ cooking grills have become an essential part of our lifestyle. Unfortunately, cooking on gas and charcoal grills can also be dangerous.  National statistics show that gas and charcoal grills have been indicated in an annual average of 1,500 structure fires and 4,800 outdoor grill fires at residential properties.  Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, offers these safe outdoor grilling:

• Always read and follow the owner's manual.
• Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in your house, garage, a tent or any enclosed area because carbon monoxide may accumulate and kill you.
• Set up grill in an open area away from buildings, dry leaves or brush. 
• When using a barbecue grill be sure all parts are firmly in place and the grill is stable.
• Should electrically operated accessories (i.e., rotisseries, etc.) be used, be sure they are properly grounded. Electrical cords should be placed away from walkways.
• Use long-handled barbecue utensils to avoid burns and splatters.
• Wear clothing that does not have hanging shirttails, frills or apron strings.  Always use flame retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents.

Even if all precautions are taken, grills can still be a bit unpredictable at times.  It is good to have a plan ahead of time, in case a fire does start to flare:

• To put out flare-ups, either raise the grid the food is on, or spread the coals out, or adjust the controls to lower the temperature.
• Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher handy. A bucket of sand or a garden hose should be near if you don't have a commercial extinguisher.

Some are of these "tips" are laws; Some are guidelines; ALL are ways to keep everyone safe:

• NEVER leave children or pets unattended near a hot grill.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
• Declare the entire grill area a "kid-free zone" until the grill has completely cooled off.

Finally, when tempted to ignore the rules "just this once," it can often help to know why the rules are as they are.  Knowing WHY something is potentially dangerous can provide a more persuasive argument than just knowing THAT something is potentially dangerous:

• Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned.  CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments.  Each year about 30 people die and 100 are injured as a result of CO fumes from grills used indoors.
• Never burn charcoal inside homes, vehicles, tents or campers.  Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
  
• Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

For more safety information, contact Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center at (901) 287-6730.