Summer is the season to pull out your grill for outdoor barbecues and gatherings with family and friends.
Handled incorrectly, grills can also become a major fire hazard ― accounting for nearly 9,500 house fires nationally each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Is your grill in a safe spot?
For most people, the answer is probably no.
“Please, at least 10 feet away from your house, your garage and never on a balcony or a deck,” Rochester Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano said during a July public safety update.
Poorly placed grills have sparked several house fires in Rochester in recent weeks, city officials said.
How far do grills need to be from your house?
Grills need to be kept 10 feet away from combustible materials, including the siding of your house, nearby tree branches or deck railings. They should also be positioned away from designated play areas to prevent accidental burns of children who come too close to see what’s cooking.
Cleaning your grill regularly and removing grease and fat buildup in trays below the grill can also reduce the risk of a fire. And, it’s important to keep a fire extinguisher or water nearby, Napolitano said.
In the first six months of 2025, the Rochester Fire Department has responded to 282 working structure fires; 133 were accidental fires that could have been prevented.
For more fire safety tips visit the city’s website.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Twitter @kaylacanne and @bykaylacanne on Instagram. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Is your grill too close to your house? Rochester fire chief shares BBQ safety tips
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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