The Clark County Fire Department is offering tips to prevent grilling accidents, especially during the spring and summer months when barbecuing is especially popular.
“With Memorial Day weekend coming up, it’s a good time of year to remind the public to keep grills on a flat surface away from homes, buildings and dry brush,” said Clark County Fire Chief Billy Samuels. “To prevent injuries, never leave a hot grill unattended and make sure grills are a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic.”
During barbecue season, it’s best to periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays and traps below the grill to avoid grease fires. Residents living in apartments or condominiums should contact property management for specific requirements at their complexes. Outdoor cooking with portable barbequing equipment is prohibited within 10 feet of any overhang, balcony, or opening. Other safety tips include:
- Read the owner’s manual of your grill and follow the assembly and safety guidelines.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill area: Declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
- Stay with your fire from the time you light the grill until you finish cooking.
- Do not leave starter fluid, lighters or matches within the reach of children.
- Use long-handled grilling tools to have plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
- Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases.
- Ensure easy access to a garden hose in the event of a fire or spill of hot coals.
- When using a propane grill, make sure all connections are tight before turning on the gas. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose, gas connections and supply lines will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles. Get the grill serviced by a professional if leaks are detected. Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages.
- After cooking, make sure you turn off both the barbecue and the shut off valve for the propane.
- Let coals cool completely or douse with water before disposing in a metal container.
The Fire Department offers safety tips on a variety of topics posted on its website at https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/fire/general-safety-information.
About Clark County:
Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.4 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2023). Included are the nation’s 5th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.