Article from Volume 6, Issue Number 2, 2019

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BARBECUE SAFETY - Spring 2019

It seems that everyone has something to say about the safe usage of portable BBQs. This is likely because barbecues combine those wonderful elements known as fire and fuel, and together they can be a lethal combination. Barbecues can also produce carbon monoxide which as you are likely aware can cause serious health problems or death if inhaled. Tanks in and of themselves rarely explode. What can happen is a resulting fire or explosion that is caused by leaking gas that has escaped from a faulty appliance or pipework. Gas can build up in an enclosed area which can lead to explosion, carbon monoxide poisoning or if an ignition source is present – fire!

This year, after checking to see if the tank is full after a long winter of BBQ inactivity, don’t just turn it on and hope for the best. Instead:

• Check your hoses for cracks and/or blockages
• Check for gas leaks by opening the gas supply valve fully and apply a soap and water mix onto the hose and look for bubbles – if you see bubbles there is gas leaking out of your hose – turn off the gas immediately and have the leak repaired
• Check your grill for cleanliness and make sure no animals or bugs have crawled inside
• Don’t allow fat and grease to build up this can cause a fire, start the season out with a clean slate

Now that your equipment is ready consider the following general safety tips:

• Propane tanks should be stored in an upright position, outdoors and not near the barbecue – if you are storing them on a balcony the City of Winnipeg by-law states that:
  
  1) no more than two 20 lb. tanks are stored on any one balcony including the one attached to your barbecue
  2) the balcony cannot be enclosed by screen or glass
  3) Tank valves are not closer than 900 mm (3 feet) from any door or window that is lower than the valve
   
• Don’t start your grill with the lid closed

• Use long handled toots to keep your hands as far away from the heat and flames as possible
• Don’t wear long sleeves or baggy clothes that could catch on fire
• Do wear fire resistant mitts
• Only use your barbecue outdoors in a well ventilated area
• Keep combustible materials away from the barbecue
• Don’t leave your barbecue unattended when it is lit
• Have a functioning and appropriate fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency

If the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning wasn’t enough did you know that metal bristles on barbecue brushes can become lose over time and stick to the grill and then be transferred to your food and swallowed? You may want to consider cleaning your grill grates with a pumice stone or a wire mesh grill cleaning tool.

If you are going to use a steel or brass wire grill brush check it for bent and loose bristles and consider replacing it with a new one.

Many Condo unit owners barbecue on their balconies. The City of Winnipeg by-laws permits the use of a barbecue on a balcony provided it uses electricity, propane or natural gas as a fuel source. It is not permissible to use barbecues that use wood or charcoal briquettes for fuel on your deck or balcony. Your condominium may have its own rules around barbecue usage.

All of that being said, I’m looking forward to enjoying some homemade hamburgers and grilled salmon, not to mention grilled fruit and veggies! If you’d like to read more about barbecue safety check out the following resources used in the preparation of this article.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-garden-safety/ barbecue-safety.html#a1
http://www.winnipeg.ca/cms/bles/pns/pdfs/PortableBBQs.pdf
http://www.consumerreports.org/gas-grills/grill-brushes-surprising-risk/