Avoiding Home Insurance Risks from Outdoor Barbecue

People love barbecue. People love it so much that almost 80 percent of homes own a barbecue appliance. According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA), 60 percent of these households use their barbecue all year round. Despite the sumptuous meals and awesome-smelling, barbecued meats or fish grilled to perfection by charcoal or gas-fired grills, open-flame barbecues have caused many headaches for home insurance companies.

The U.S. Fire Administration reported that $35 million worth of properties are burned down each year in greater than 6,000 fires resulting to half a dozen deaths and 170 injured people.

Firing a grill can cause serious home insurance risks that a number of states like New York, Washington and California have banned open-flame grilling in multi-resident housing balconies, terraces or roofs if there are no overhead sprinklers. Gas-fired grills with propane tanks greater than one pound are definitely not allowed even with sprinklers present.

The following are safety tips for a problem-free barbecue and get you that juicy and mouth-watering grilled meal.

• Ensure that fire is included in your home insurance coverage.
• The homeowner must learn how to assemble their grilling appliances properly. They should also know how to use these grills properly and accident-free. The key here is to follow instruction manuals carefully. Use the proper equipment and set it up securely in place without the danger of toppling over.
• Use proper clothing without tails or frills while grilling. Use heat resistant pads to protect your patio. Use heat resistant gloves or mitts to adjust vents and utilize long-handled grilling tools.
• Do not be foolish enough to use grills indoors. Indoors means inside your house, trailer, garage or any other enclosed areas. Barbecue smoke can result to carbon monoxide accumulation, which can be fatal to humans.
• Even if you are grilling outdoors, maintain proper ventilation. Stay away from combustible materials, pools, swimmers and be careful of sparks blown off by the wind. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• Ensure that you have home insurance and that fire is included in your coverage.