700 Grill Accidents Per Season: How to Stay Safe Through the Summer
Even if the temperatures of the first week of May don't necessarily suggest it, according to statistics, the grilling season has begun this month and lasts until the end of August. From the perspective of the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV), this means, according to Armin Kaltenegger, around five injuries per day, with two-thirds of the total 700 per season being men and one-fifth children. Together with the Upper Austrian Fire Prevention Office, the KFV provided safety tips in Linz on Tuesday.
Men and children most affected by grilling accidents
Since grilling is 90 percent a male activity in Austria, they are also the most affected by injuries. Kaltenegger explained that the relatively high number of children is due to them being hit by toppling grills.
The most common injuries are burns at 54 percent, cuts at 39 percent, and fractures at eight percent. Kaltenegger cited distraction, haste, and carelessness as causes. The still popular use of gasoline - for example, from lawnmowers - as an accelerant has particularly disastrous effects, demonstrated by the Fire Prevention Office (BVS). Even a small amount poured on charcoal was enough for a flash fire.
Safety tips for grilling with charcoal and gas
However, the most common cause of fire is the improper disposal of ash. It is often thrown onto the compost heap or into the trash can too early. This leads to a smoldering fire that turns into a blaze. Günther Schwabegger from the BVS advises letting the charcoal cool in a metal bucket for three days or extinguishing it with plenty of water.
For gas grills, he recommends regularly checking the hoses for cracks. Additionally, the gas bottle should only be used upright. If there is a smell of gas, the device should be turned off immediately.
To avoid risks when grilling with charcoal - by far the most used type of grill in Austria according to Schwabegger - flame formation can be prevented by using solid grill starters and preventing dripping fat. It is also important to place the grill on a stable surface at a good distance from the (Styrofoam-insulated) house wall or wooden fence, protected from the wind.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.