In Livingston: Barbecue Season Safety Tips For 2025

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Livingston. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

With Memorial Day around the corner, the unofficial start of barbecue season is here. We think of barbecue season as a series of enjoyable times spent outside with family and friends, but outdoor cooking is still serious business and there are significant dangers associated with outdoor cooking.

Before firing up the grill, there are important safety concerns to consider when dealing with fuels like propane, natural gas, and charcoal. Avoid creating a recipe for disaster by taking some simple safety precautions.

Location

Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in a trailer, tent, house, garage, or any enclosed area because of the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments due to the lack of proper ventilation. Make sure the grill is placed in a clear area, away from buildings (15-foot minimum), trees, dry leaves, or brush. Choose a location that is away from high traffic areas, children playing nearby, and pets. Always be sure to place the grill on a stable surface so that it can’t accidentally be tipped over.

Barbecue Safety

Periodically inspect gas-fired barbecue grills. Check for a buildup of spider webs, which can inhibit the flow of gas to controls or for rodent nests in the area of the hoses and controls. Bugs and other “critters” can climb into small places, causing gas to flow where it shouldn't. This can cause propane to leak and ignite when the grill is lit.

It is important to check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks before using them. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing that will restrict the flow of gas and cause the unit to malfunction.

Propane Safety

Store propane bottles and tanks away from potential sources of heat or flame, such as a furnace, water heater, or any appliance with a pilot light. Keep them in a well-ventilated shed away from the house or any habitable structure. Always keep propane gas bottles and tanks upright and in a cool area away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat will cause the internal gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

Be careful to not store a propane tank in an area that is susceptible to vehicle traffic, such as on a garage floor. A vehicle coming into contact with a propane tank could cause a leak in the tank or an explosion. Keep gas supply lines as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. Never start a gas grill with the lid closed, as gas can accumulate inside and, when ignited, could blow the lid off, causing injury.

Charcoal Safety

Always use approved starter fluid when using a charcoal grill. Never use other flammables, like gasoline, as a starter fluid or accelerant, as this could cause an explosive fire. Since burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO), never put away the grill until you are sure that the coals are no longer hot or burning.

Dispose of hot coals properly by dousing them with plenty of water and stirring the coals to make sure that the fire is out. Store coals in a metal container only — never place coals in plastic, paper, or wooden containers. As a safe practice, store used coal a minimum of 15-feet from any structure.

Grease

Whether gas or charcoal, a clean grill is a safe grill. Grease build-up can lead to a fire in the grill — as the grill heats up, the excess grease simply ignites. Grease can build up quickly, leaving several pounds of grease at the bottom of the grill after only a few cookouts. Place a container or “grease-trap” beneath your grill to collect the grease run-off, and replace the container periodically to prevent a grease fire.

Safety First

Avoid loose clothing while grilling — especially things like long sleeves or apron strings. Use flame-retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents, and use barbecue utensils with long handles (forks, tongs, etc.) to avoid burns and splatters. Keep a fire extinguisher close in case of emergencies, and never leave the grill when it is lit. Always have one person in charge of the grill to avoid any accidents or injuries.

At the first sign of trouble, turn off the gas supply at the controls if they’re not involved in the fire. If the controls are on fire, turn off the gas (if you can do this without risking injury) at the supply (propane tank, or gas supply valve from residence if a natural gas grill). Call 9-1-1 to report the incident, and the Fire Department will respond to ensure that the fire is out and the gas is properly turned off.

Gas grills can produce a great deal of heat which can turn deadly, so it is important to make sure a grill is operating properly before using it. When using a grill, always assume everything is hot and take appropriate precautions. Never attempt to change the location of a hot grill, as there is a high risk of serious burns due to stumbling or dropping the hot grill.

More information on the Livingston Fire Department, fire safety, and fire prevention can be found on the township website at livingstonnj.org/Fire.

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