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Memorial Day is just around the corner, marking the unofficial start of summer and grilling season. But safety officials are warning that backyard barbecues can quickly turn dangerous.
Between 2020 and 2024, new data from the National Fire Protection Association show that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of more than 12,000 home grilling fires each year. Officials say these fires caused an average of 15 deaths, 171 injuries, and a whopping $241 million in property damage annually.
The peak months for these blazes are May, June, July, and August.
Lorraine Carli with the NFPA says 76 percent of these fires involve gas grills, often caused by leaks or breaks. But regardless of the fuel type, she says one of the biggest culprits is a dirty grill.
She says one-fifth of grilling fires were caused by grills that had not been cleaned, representing the leading contributing factor to ignition. Carli adds that knowing when and where grilling fires tend to happen helps people better understand where risks exist and how to reduce their likelihood.
Officials say you should always place your grill far away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches, as a quarter of all home grilling fires start on a balcony or open porch.
Other tips include keeping children and pets at least 3 feet away, always opening the lid before lighting a gas grill, and never leaving a hot grill unattended.
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