Fire Prevention Month: Grill Smart, Grill Safe with Capital Grills

October is Fire Prevention Month, a timely reminder that safety is just as essential as seasoning when grilling. At Capital Grills, we know the best cookouts are the ones you enjoy — without stress. To help you stay safe, here are expert tips, backed by the latest data.

- Fire & Grill Safety by the Numbers

• Grill Fires: On average, 10,200 home fires are started by grills each year in the U.S. SFM Illinois

• Emergency Room Visits: Approximately 21,682 people go to the emergency room annually due to grill-related injuries. NFPA

• Burn Injuries: Nearly 47% of these injuries are thermal burns, often from contact with hot surfaces or flames. Josh Gottheimer

• Peak Month: July sees the highest number of grill fires, followed by June, May, and August. Hippo

- Safety Best Practices & Emergency Preparedness

Using those stats as context, here are tips to help prevent grill fires and what to do if things go sideways:

1. Know Your Grill's Emergency Shut-Off (for Natural Gas Grills)

   • Find the shut-off valve at your gas supply or near the grill connection.

   • In case of fire: if it’s safe, turn off the grill first, then shut off the gas supply at that valve.

   • If you smell gas, see visible damage, or can’t reach the valve safely, evacuate the area and call emergency services immediately.

   • Get your gas line inspected annually for leaks, cracks, and proper function.

2. Placement & Distance

   • Place your grill at least 10 feet from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches. Travelers

   • Keep children, pets, and foot traffic at least 3 feet away from the grill while in use. CT.gov

3. Clean Regularly

   • Grease and fat build-ups are one of the top causes of flare-ups and structure fires. Cleaning reduces risk substantially. Hippo

4. Never Leave the Grill Unattended

   • Most grill fires happen during peak cooking times and when people assume the grill is “just fine.” Always monitor while it’s lit.

5. Have Safety Tools on Hand

   • A fire extinguisher rated for grease fires or a Prepared Hero Fire Blanket can make all the difference.

   • Also, know where your shut-off valve is and how to use it — especially for gas grills.

6. Cool Down & Dispose Properly

   • Let coals fully cool before disposing of them in a metal container.

   • Close all valves, shut off gas supply, and let everything cool before covering or moving the grill.

- Fire Prevention Month: Wrap-Up Challenge

Here’s a quick checklist to go through before your next grill session:

Fire Prevention Month is a reminder: a few minutes of inspection, cleaning, and prep can save a lot of trouble later. Capital Grills is proud to offer outdoor kitchens, tools, and safety gear that make grilling not just tasty — but safer.

Ready to upgrade or restock your grill setup with safety in mind?

Sources

• SFM Illinois. “Grilling Safety Tips.” https://sfm.illinois.gov/currentfocus/grilling-safety.html

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). “Home Grill Fires.” https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/home-grill-fires

• Gottheimer House. “Grill Safety Plan.” https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-during-national-grilling-month-gottheimer-announces-three-part-grill-safety-plan-to-prevent-grill-related-accidents

• Travelers. “Grilling Safety Tips.” https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/safety/grilling-safety-tips

• Hippo Insurance. “Grilling Accidents.” https://www.hippo.com/blog/grilling-accidents