Safe Summer Grilling

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer and all of the activities that make the season special.

Grilling is a popular summertime activity and Zanesville Fire Department Firefighter Kai Mayle talked about some of the dangers that can quickly turn a fun occasion into a tragedy. 

“Just always cook outside. Keep it away from the building,” Mayle said. “Try to keep your kids away from it. Lighter fluid, matches, you want to keep those away. You don’t want to cook under a roof, patio. Try not to smoke around it. Make sure that your propane is not leaking when you first turn it on. It could be pretty bad. Always just make sure to shut everything off once you’re done.”

There are several types of popular outdoor cooking appliances but gas fueled devices are commonly purchased because of their convenience.

“When you turn your propane on, you want to listen, make sure there’s no leaks cause you light it up and it’s bad news,” Mayle said. “And try not to put ’em on patios because if anything bad happens… patios in bad shape, really just checking for those things.”

Mayle suggested that many mishaps can be prevented by simply paying attention during use, staying mindful of how much heat it can generate and operating your grill in a safe location.