The importance of grilling safety

If you’re cooking out this weekend, be careful while you’re throwing that meat on the grill. It can quickly turn dangerous, causing more injuries than you think.

It’s popular, especially this time of year. Grilling is a great way to cook a variety of foods, but it can also be dangerous.

In 2022, an estimated 5,400 people were sent to emergency rooms for gas or charcoal grill-related injuries. It can also pose a risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, and causes 13 average yearly deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“Grills are one of the most common accidents we see during the summer months,” Doctor Anupama Mehta said.

Mehta, with the Burn Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says July is the peak month for grilling-related injuries. She says she sees everything from minor burns to major ones.

“People are mishandling the propane tank or pouring gasoline or lighter fluid directly into the grill, and they sort of have this back force of flame and fires,” Mehta said.

Safety experts say only use grills outside and well-ventilated areas and to never use them indoors, in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a flammable surface. And check the grill and the gas hoses before use, searching for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks, and replace if necessary. And never leave a hot grill unattended and keep children away.

Medha says she’s had to treat little ones, too.

“Sometimes they just kind of put their hands on the grill, burn their hands, different body parts,” Mehta said.

Finally, clean your grill to prevent grease buildup, which can be a fire hazard as well.