Grill and Campfire Safety Tips

Outdoor cooking and campfires are summer staples, but they are also a leading cause of preventable fires and property damage. A few simple precautions keep your gatherings safe.

Grilling Safely

• Keep grills at least ten feet from your home, deck railings, and overhangs.
• Check gas grill connections for leaks before the season's first use.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended, especially around children and pets.
• Let coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.

Campfire Precautions

Build campfires in designated pits away from tents, brush, and low branches. Keep water and a shovel nearby, and never leave a fire burning when you sleep or leave. Drown the fire, stir the ashes, and drown it again until it is cold to the touch.

If a fire does damage your property, the cleanup and rebuilding costs add up quickly, and insurers do not always offer their full value. Crossroads Insurance Recovery Advocates helps fire victims document their losses and recover a fair settlement.