Lt. Shanti Hall is a veteran firefighter who now works in the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department's Public Affairs Office. She also writes this column for Neighbors.
Q: We grill on our porch all the time. Is it safe to use a barbecue grill inside a covered porch or patio?
PINECREST
While some folks not fortunate enough to be in ''the sunshine state'' must wait patiently through months of foul weather to get a taste of home-cooked barbecue, here in South Florida, we enjoy a year-round barbecue season.
Whenever there's an outdoor gathering at my house, pets, children and stray uncles alike will hover in the vicinity of the grill, pretending to be there for some legitimate reason.
In reality though, they are undercover thieves, just trying to infiltrate the grill operation and distract the Grillmaster so they might sneak an advance taste of the sizzling treats on the grill.
In extreme cases, these attacks have resulted in complete losses of the main course.
So as the Grillmaster in your home, you will have to be very aware of these ''operatives'' and take some steps to ensure the safety of the food until mealtime, but you will also have to ensure your own safety and the safety of all others while operating the grill.
There are many common hazards to consider when using a barbecue grill. Here are some precautions to help keep your grilling safe.
For all types of grills:
Never grill indoors or in an enclosed area. This may seem obvious, but an average of 20 deaths per year occur as a result of indoor grilling.
Make sure you choose a level, stable surface, away from high-traffic areas and away from children and pets.
Always grill in a well-lit, well-ventilated area, at least 10 feet away from combustible construction, including siding material and the eaves.
Keep a Class B or Class ABC fire extinguisher on hand in case of fire.
For gas grills:
Periodically inspect your grill. Check hoses for cracks, holes and leaks. Check burners for obstructions, and make sure the igniter is working.
If your igniter does not successfully light your grill on the first attempt, shut it off and wait for the gas to clear before trying again.
Always keep propane gas containers upright, and do not store spare gas containers under or near the grill.
As of April 2002, an overfill-prevention device was implemented on all new propane gas containers. These new containers have valve handles with three prongs (old tanks have five prongs).
Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.
For charcoal grills:
Charcoal grills produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal.
Always use charcoal grills in extremely well-vented areas and never use a charcoal or hibachi-type grill inside a house, tent or vehicle.
Freshly used coals will continue to produce carbon monoxide after the fire is extinguished, so leave the coals and grill outside until the coals are cool to the touch before bringing inside for storage.
Never leave a burning barbecue grill unattended. By keeping a vigilant watch on the grill, you can avoid most dangerous situations, and, hopefully, if you are clever, you can also make sure the meal actually makes it to the table.
For more information visit: www.miamidade.gov/mdfr.
Distributed by the Associated Press
