Don’t end up grilling yourself when you barbeque those steaks during the big game Sunday.
On the eve of the Super Bowl, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is making good use of PSAs that “ESPN Sports Center” anchor Hannah Storm did about the dangers of gas grills. Storm, if you remember, sustained serious burns to her face and neck while using a grill in December.
In a missive to consumers, the NFPA put out an alert about grilling safety.
“This weekend many of you will be using your grills for your Super Bowl celebration,” the NFPA said. “’ESPN Sports Center’ anchor Hannah Storm has an important message for you based on a terrifying incident that she recently experienced.”
“In December 2012, she was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children on her gas grill. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled and became an explosive fireball when she attempted to re-ignite it. Hannah suffered serious burns and wanted to do what she could to make sure that others would not have to experience what she went through.”
“Grills are involved in thousands of fires per year that result in injuries and sometimes even death. You can prevent most grilling fires by following a few basic safety tips. The next time you are grilling, whether it is this weekend for the Super Bowl or later this year, please remember Hannah’s message and keep fire safety in mind.
In the video clip, Storm warns viewers that if their gas grill goes off, they should wait at least 15 minutes until trying to re-light it.
The NFPA also noted on its website that “flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires.”
The safety organization said that Storm feels that it is “important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don’t understand the proper procedures.”
In a statement NFPA Vice President of Communications Lorraine Carli said, “Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well. Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries.”
The NFPA also offered these facts:
- In 2006-2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,600 home and outside fires. These 8,600 fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 140 civilian injuries and $75 million in direct property damage.
- More than one-quarter (28 percent) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio; 28 percent started on an exterior balcony or open porch; and 6 percent started in the kitchen.
- Flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in almost half of home outdoor grill fires. In almost half (46 percent) of the home outdoor fires in which grills were involved, 53 percent of the outside gas grills, and 26 percent of gas grill structure fires, the fire started when a flammable or combustible gas or liquid caught fire.