Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and metro area agencies enacted the Fire Danger Burn Restriction, Wednesday, July 24.  With high temperatures in the forecast and smoke in the air, SVFD wants to keep the community safe from fire risk while still enjoying those enjoyable outdoor summer activities such as grilling.

To keep your summer grilling safe, don’t place your BBQ too close to anything that burns or it may just become a fire hazard.  

The summer months, from May through August, are the peak months for grill fires.  According to the NFPA, 10,200 home fires, on average, are started by grills each year.  In addition, 19,000 patients went to the ER per year because of injuries involving grills.

The following list includes Grilling Safety Tips from the NFPA:

• Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed far away from the house, deck railings, and out from under the eaves and from any overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• If you use a charcoal grill along with starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add the charcoal fluid or any other flammable fluids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from any heat sources.

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