With the warm weather (finally) arriving in New Canaan in earnest—allowing us after some delays to play baseball and softball on our fields and plant our new fir tree at God’s Acre (to be the centerpiece for Dec. 24 caroling eventually), among other activities—the town’s fire marshal is issuing some tips about grilling safety.
Fire Marshal Fred Baker provided NewCanaanite.com with a quick list of tips to ensure safety during the popular summertime tradition—for him and others a year-round practice.
Here they are (thanks, Fred—who can be reachd at 203-594-3030):
- Make sure that your grill is serviced and cleaned annually, following manufacturers instructions for care and use.
- Leak check all hoses and fittings on gas grill with a dish detergent and water solution. If any “bubbling” appears, have the grill serviced by a certified technician.
- Whenever changing propane tanks make sure all connections are tight.
- When transporting propane tanks for refilling/exchange they must be secured upright. An old milk crate works great to stabilize tanks for transport. Never transport in trunks.
- Never leave a tank in the car while doing other errands – full tanks sometimes will start to “off-gas” in the heat build-up inside of a parked car.
- Keep grills at least 3 feet away from combustibles (i.e. your home!)
- Always dispose of ashes from charcoal grills in metal containers with a tight lid.
- Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start your charcoal – only use approved charcoal lighter fluid. Once the charcoal is started NEVER add lighter fluid.
- Never use a grill – gas or charcoal – indoors.