For many people across the country, summertime means outdoor grilling and Fourth of July fireworks. It can be a fun time, but be mindful of your outdoor grill so that it is in safe working condition, especially if you had it in storage since last year! A defective grill or operator error can sometimes result in painful burn injuries.
Whether you have a gas grill or a charcoal grill, the risk of burn injuries is always present. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of all gas-related grill injuries occur while lighting the grill. About one-quarter of burn injuries related to charcoal grills occur when someone pours too much lighter fluid onto the charcoal. Even more dangerous is when someone attempts to use gasoline to speed up the charcoal grilling process. You should never use gasoline to ignite a charcoal grill!
However, it is not always operator error that causes the burn injuries. Product defects such as defective heat shields and faulty burners have caused grill fires and injuries. In order to play it safe this summer, follow these tips for outdoor grilling:
- Do not pour lighter fluid on hot charcoal
- Keep lighter fluid off any clothing
- Wear tight fitting clothes when you are near the grill
- Keep children away from the grill at all times
- Allow the lighter fluid to soak into the charcoal before lighting
If you do suffer burn injuries from a defective grill or because of another person’s negligence, call our office to speak with a personal injury attorney. We have the experience to help you or a loved one.
Colson Hicks Eidson – Florida injury lawyers