There are dozens of risk exposures associated with some of our beloved summer pastimes and we have discussed many of them in this blog and on our Facebook page, but one of the most common and frequently overlooked is an American favorite and my favorite -barbeque.
Did you know that each year Americans enjoy more than 3 billion barbeques?
According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments have responded to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbeque pits; each year. On average, these summertime fires have resulted in an upwards of 120 injuries-in addition to causing an average of $80 million in property damage. I even witnessed a house go up in smoke on my way home from the office because the occupants were barbequing on their covered porch.
However, despite the risks involved we love to take part in summer grilling.so what can you do to avoid running into trouble?
- Always place your grill on a level surface at least 10 feet away from all other objects or structures such as your house, garage, landscaping, etc.
- Never use a grill in an enclosed space-not only can it induce fires, but can be deadly in regards to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- After grilling with charcoal, soak the coals in water and store in a metal container for proper disposal.
- After cooking on a gas grill, always turn off both the grill and the propane bottle.
- When grilling is complete, be sure to keep children and pets away from the grill until it is completely cooled.
For further barbeque safety tips, check out the NFPA's instructional grilling video, aimed at making your barbeque experience as safe - and enjoyable - as possible!
For more information and examples on how barbeque can affect your NY homeowners insurance rates if not done properly, just contact your Albany NY insurance agency and ask them for some sample related claims.
No comments:
Post a Comment