For many campers, charcoal or gas grilling is one the best ways to cook.

But it’s important to be careful and to use common sense when grilling (both at home and while camping) to avoid injuires and damage to property.

Consider these facts:
According to the U.S. fire administartion, grill fires cause almost $27 million dollars in property losses every year.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that approximately 600 gas grill fires or explosions are reported every year with injuries occuring about 5 percent of the time.
Every year about 30 people die and 100 people are injured from carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis that were used inside.

This doesn’t mean you have to sell or give away your charcoal or gas grill and put away your favorite burger flipper to avoid becoming one of these statistics. But, you do need to remember to follow some basic safety tips to ensure safe and enjoyable grilling.

CHARCOAL GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
Never Use A Charcoal Grill:
- Inside a tent
- Inside a camper
- Inside a vehicle
- Inside a home
- Inside a garage
- Inside any temporary or permanent structure.
The only safe place to grill is OUTSIDE. Yes, these seems like basic common sense but many people fail to follow this basic rule every year and are hurt or killed as a result.

Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes while grilling

If your hair is long, tie it back to avoid having it accidentally catch on fire

Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.

Set up the grill on level ground several feet away from your tent, camper, house, garage, etc.

Never leave a hot grill unattended.

Keep children and pets away from a hot grill. Burns are the most common injury from grills.

Don’t add lighter fluid to coals that are already burning (something I’ve seen people do way too often - how they managed to not singe off their eyebrows is beyond me)

Never use gasoline or kerosene to light charcoal. Not only is it dangerous but it will add a bad taste to your food.

GAS GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
Never Use A Gas Grill:
- Inside a tent
- Inside a camper
- Inside a vehicle
- Inside a home
- Inside a garage
- Inside any temporary or permanent structure.
The only safe place to grill is OUTSIDE.

Frequently check hoses for cracking, holes, leaks or brittleness. If you find a leak, turn off the gas and find an alternate way to cook until the leak is fixed.

Make sure all tubes leading into the burner are not blocked by grease or insects.

Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If keeping them away from hot surfaces is impossible, install a heat shield to protect them.

Keep propane gas containers upright.

Don’t store or use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) near the grill.

Never store a filled propane container in a car trunk or inside a hot car. The gas will expand in the heat and could escape through the relief valve.

Always keeps children and pets away from a hot grill.

Keeping these tips in mind will help to make sure all your grilling, whether it’s done at home or while on a camping trip, will result in the only burns and injuries occurring to those burgers you overcooked yet again.