There’s still a lot of good barbecuing weather ahead, but the Durango Fire Protection District is asking residents to take precautions before lighting up the grill.
In the last year, DFPD has responded to six fires that were the result of improperly installed grills and/or gas lines or barbecue grills “leaking” hot coals onto the surface below, said Scot Davis, the district’s community education coordinator.
“Three out of five households own a gas grill, which translates to a lot of tasty meals,” he said. “But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.”
More than 8,800 home fires are caused by grills each year, he said.
To keep residents safe, he issued a variety of recommendations, including only using grills outdoors, keeping children and pets at least 3 feet away and regularly removing grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it can’t be ignited by a hot grill.
Visit http://durangofirerescue.org/news.htm for more information, downloadable safety checklists and video concerning safe outdoor cooking.
