4 Tips for Summer BBQ Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, gas grills cause roughly 5,700 fires on residential properties every year.

Most of these fires result from malfunctioning gas grills.

In fact, fires from gas grills cause an average of $37 million in damage annually.

If you’re planning to celebrate the summer heat or tailgate with a barbecue, you’ll want to keep an eye out for potential fire hazards. Below are a few summer BBQ safety tips for minimizing fire risk.

• 1. Make Sure Your Grill is Safe to be Around
• 2. Protect Your Personal Belongings
• 3. Keep Your Eyes on Guests of All Species
• 4. Understand When Insurance Won’t Cover You
• Final Thoughts: Summer BBQ Safety Tips for a Safe and Fun BBQ Party
  

1. Make Sure Your Grill is Safe to be Around

Outdoor cooking requires some vigilance. You should always ensure that the grill is safe to be around. Here are some grilling safety tips to guarantee that:

• Place the grill in a safe location: The National Fire Protection Association reports that of all grill fires, 29% of the home structure fires originate in the exterior balcony or open porch, and 27% originate in a courtyard, terrace, or patio.
  
  You can avoid home fires simply by placing your gas or charcoal grill at least 10 feet away from the house — better if it’s even farther. Even outside, keeping the grill safe from anything that can easily catch fire, such as silk tablecloths and tree branches, would be best.
  
  Also, when you barbecue in an enclosed space, you risk breathing in harmful carbon monoxide when using a charcoal grill.
  
• Check for propane leaks: Another important summer BBQ safety tip is to check for potential gas leaks. You should check for leaks whenever you smell gas near the grill or can’t light the grill.
  
  Check for gas leaks by applying a solution of equal parts of liquid dish soap and water to the hose and connections. Open the grill lid and turn on the gas after applying the solution. If you see any bubbles, there’s a leak.
  
• Never turn on the gas with a closed lid: When you turn on the gas with the cover closed, it causes gas to build up inside the grill. When you light the grill, a fireball could explode, injuring you and potentially starting a fire, so make sure the lid is open when you turn on the gas.
  
  Fires can destroy a lot of property. While fire safety should always be top of mind, you should also protect the property you’re renting with insurance. The liability portion could seriously help if you cause a grill fire, and Goodcover makes it easy to afford renters insurance with plans starting at $5/month.

2. Protect Your Personal Belongings

There are various risks to your personal belongings when you invite people over, from a fire damaging your valuables to a guest stealing an expensive item. Follow the safety tips given below to protect your personal belongings.

• Never leave a hot grill unattended. This summer BBQ safety tip is a no-brainer because even if the barbecue grill causes a fire, you should be around to control it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Safety equipment like a spray bottle and a fire extinguisher can help control fire when required. The summer is a great time to learn how to use a fire extinguisher if you haven’t used one before. Knowing how to operate a fire extinguisher will help protect your guests and the property until the fire department reaches your place.
• Keep an eye on first-time visitors. Is there someone at the party, maybe a friend’s friend or new neighbor, that seems a little sketchy? You might want to keep an eye out to ensure they don’t steal any of your valuable items.

If you lose personal property because of fire damage or theft (e.g., your laptop), your renters insurance policy will cover you for the loss.

3. Keep Your Eyes on Guests of All Species

When you invite people over, you want to ensure their safety. Parties are a great place for things to go wrong, so you should be mindful of the following summer BBQ safety tips:

• Keep children away from the grill. Letting children near a hot grill can end up poorly. Always keep children away from an active grill because not only can they injure themselves, but they can also accidentally start a fire.
• Keep an eye on heavy drinkers. Being too drunk around a grill with hot coals is a sure way to book a trip to the emergency room. Anyone who is having alcohol should stay away from the grill.
• Keep dogs in another area. Do you have a dog who may get anxious or territorial? You might want to accommodate them in a different part of the house until your guests leave to protect your guests from dog bites. Dog bites can be expensive — they cost homeowners $881 million in 2021 alone.

The cost of medical bills when a guest gets injured at your place can burn a giant hole in your pocket. You can avoid this with a renters insurance policy that provides liability coverage. For example, you get up to $100,000 of liability coverage even on the most basic Goodcover plan.

4. Understand When Insurance Won’t Cover You

Insurance can help you protect your assets in case things go south, but you should know about the following exclusions:

• Damage to property or guests because of illegal fireworks is not covered.
• If your guests get sick because of the caterer’s food or someone from the catering staff is injured, your insurance won’t cover the liability. The catering company should have insurance for this.
• If you’re hosting a large party or if the party is in the apartment clubhouse, you need to buy special event insurance.

Final Thoughts: Summer BBQ Safety Tips for a Safe and Fun BBQ Party

Hopefully, our summer season safety tips for your next barbecue party will help you avert ugly incidents. Having the right insurance policy goes a long way, so be sure to check the summer insurance tips we’ve mentioned in the article.

If you don’t already have insurance or are about to renew your policy, why not give Goodcover a try? We’ve got some of the lowest insurance premiums in the market. Get a quote from Goodcover today!

Note: This post is for informational purposes; insurance regulation and coverage specifics vary by location and person. Check your policy for exact coverage information.

For additional questions, reach out to us – we’re happy to help.