4 Important Grilling Safety Tips for Kids

Did you know that an average of 9,600 home fires each year are caused by grilling? That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association. It sure is scary, but to keep yourself, your family and your home safe, you should always take the necessary precautions every time you have a barbecue session.

It is also important that your children and everyone in the house learn all about grill safety. These important safety tips for kids when grilling will help keep everyone safe:

Answer your children’s questions

Since you will often be seen working on the grill while the family is out in the backyard, it is natural for children to be curious about grilling. When the grill is off, take the time to show how it works. It is also the perfect time to explain fire safety!

Talk about fire safety

It is critical that everyone in your home, especially children, know about fire safety. You must be adamant that fire is dangerous and should never be played with. This is especially important if you are always grilling and children are constantly watching your grill fire. If they ever catch fire, they should know how to stop, jump and roll.

Make sure to turn off the heat completely even when you’re done cooking. Remind children to stay away from the grill because it can still be very hot and they can burn themselves.

Create a barbecue-only area

This area should be for adults only, no children can enter or approach the area for safety. For more fun and for the kids to better understand the rules, have them draw a border around the barbecue area with colored chalk (about 3 feet on all sides).

Make your grill “baby proof”

Sure, heat and fire are dangerous for kids, but the grill itself isn’t ideal for little ones. Most grills are metal and have jagged edges, as well as sharp, pointed protrusions, which present risks of bumps, cuts, or scrapes.

It is important that your grill is baby proof when you have children running around the yard, even if they are not allowed near the grill when you are cooking. Use corner furniture cushions or masking tape to cover particularly sharp edges or any dangerous parts.

Keep the fire going in your grill, just be sure to follow these important kid-friendly grilling safety tips!