Grilling Fires In Georgia Peak During Warmer Months

Tracy Bishop,

Georgia – After suffering through months of extreme drought and recent wildfires throughout the state, Georgia is only now returning some sense of normalcy. Not so fast, according to the  National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). Often considered the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day kicks off a season of outdoor grilling and entertaining. With the increase in grilling comes more home grilling fires, and Georgia is still in a precarious situation.

“Outdoor grilling is a popular way to cook during the warmer months, but it does present the risk of fire and burns,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “We want to help ensure that the grilling season remains a safe one for everybody.”

Between 2020 and 2024, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 12,141 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues, including 6,110 structure fires and 6,031 outside or unclassified fires. These fires caused 15 civilian deaths, 171 reported civilian injuries, and $241 million in direct property damage; almost all the losses resulted from the structure fires.

Gas grills dominate the grilling fire problem:

  • Seventy-six percent of home grilling fires involved grills fueled by gas while 13 percent used charcoal or other solid fuel.
  • Gas grills were involved in an annual average of 9,235 home fires per year, including 4,662 structure fires and 4,573 outdoor fires.
  • Six percent of gas grill structure fires and 13 percent of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks.
  • Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in an average of 1,610 home fires per year, including 773 structure fires, and 837 outside fires.

Keeping grills clean is an important element of grilling safety. One-fifth (20 percent) of grilling fires were caused by grills that had not been cleaned, representing the leading contributing factor to ignition.

In addition, approximately one-quarter of the home structure fires involving grills started on an exterior balcony or open porch. In eight percent of these fires, the item first ignited was an outside wall; in another three percent, a structural member or framing was the item first ignited. These statistics reinforce the importance of keeping grills well away from anything that can burn.

“Knowing when and where grilling fires tend to happen helps people better understand where risks exist and how to reduce their likelihood,” said Carli.

Following are NFPA tips, recommendations, and resources for using outdoor grills safely:

  • For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks. (Watch NFPA’s video on how to check for leaks.)
  • Keep your grill clean. Make sure to remove all grease and fat buildup from the grills and the trays below.
  • Place the grill far from your home, deck railings, eaves, or overhanging branches.
  • Before lighting your gas-powered grill, always make sure the lid is open.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
  • If you use starter fluid with charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire once it’s been lit. When you finish grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing them in a metal container.
  • Never leave your grill unattended when in use.

Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at nfpa.org/freeaccess.

 

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