34,000 acres of land were destroyed by wildfire in the Fall of 2011 down in Bastrop, Texas. Dry weather and windy conditions exacerbated it and caused $325 million worth of damage. Wildfires are a very real and very dangerous problem. While the cause of the Bastrop wildfire was likely a faulty power line, it could have easily been caused by an RVer who didn’t take proper precautions while cooking out on the grill. Safety while grilling is often glossed over when we are in a hurry or are too lazy to consider the damage it may cause not only to our RVs, but also to the land around us, if it were to spread. Here are few tips on safely grilling when you’re out on a campsite.
Placement
Read the instructions for the grill you are using and keep it away from your RV or any awnings you have. Consult an employee of the RV park and ask what they recommend or if there is a specific area that is designated for grilling. The closer you are to anything that can catch fire, the easier it is for a spark to catch and the next thing you know, you’re in the market for a new RV. Play it safe and get that grill away from it.
Gas Safety
The #1 cause of gas grill fires is an obstruction in the lines. This causes the flow of gas to be irregular and if you get a surge of gas, you’ll get a surge of fire also. If you notice an irregular gas flow, turn everything off, disconnect hoses, close valves, and find the obstruction. If you continue to grill, you’re only asking for a disaster to happen.
Charcoal Safety
Cooking with charcoal is the preferred method for a lot of outdoor grillers. It brings out the taste of the meat and doesn’t leave a gas or propane flavor. But the problem with charcoal lies in the ignition. Lighter fluid is a common ignition source for many fire across the US. Maybe it’s time to discover a new way to light your charcoal, or purchase the pre-soaked charcoal to eliminate the chance of it being the culprit.
Grease
Flare-ups happen all the time, even when you aren’t using lighter fluid. These are generally caused by grease pooling in the bottom of the grill. I’ve even seen some grills leaking grease! Not only is the grease at a high temperature, but it’s being dripped onto dry land. Make sure you have a grease collection plate underneath the grill to avoid any grease fires.
Be Prepared
Keep a water hose or fire extinguisher handy and designate someone to be on the lookout for any flare-ups or stray sparks.
By paying attention to these tips, you can reduce the risk of setting fire to your RV and possibly spreading a wildfire. Here in Texas we see our fair share of them during the warmer months. Let’s all do our part and reduce the chances of it happening on our watch.
What fire safety tips do you follow? Share with us on Facebook or Google+.
