CPSC Advises Consumers to Avoid Deadly Grilling Dangers

July 1, 1999
Release # 99-135

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United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

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Health, Safety, Nutrition and Kids

A Consumer Guide to Product Safety Recalls

CPSC Hotline Information

For Immediate Release;
Contact: Ken Giles
(301) 504-0580 Ext.1184

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As consumers get ready to fire up their grills this Independence Day weekend, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is releasing safety tips for using charcoal and gas grills, and reminding consumers of two recalls of gas grills.

In November 1998, CPSC and Sunbeam Products Inc. recalled for repair about 80,000 Grillmaster gas grills with side burners. The side burner's propane gas hose on these grills can twist up toward the aluminum casting of the grill, causing overheating and melting of the hose. Gas leakage or a fire could result from the hose damage. To get a free repair kit or for more information, call Sunbeam toll-free at (888) 892-8150 anytime.

In May 1999, CPSC and Kmart announced a recall of about 40,000 Tru-Burn Portable LP Gas Grills because their burner manifolds can separate during use and ignite nearby combustibles. For more information, call Kmart toll-free at (800) 63KMART anytime.

Charcoal Grill Safety Tips

Each year, there are about 20 deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and more than 300 emergency room treated injuries from CO poisoning resulting from charcoal grills. Charcoal produces CO when burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. To reduce these CO poisonings, CPSC is offering the following safety tips:

Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers.

Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.

Since charcoal produces CO until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Gas Grill Safety Tips

Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is extremely flammable. Each year more than 500 fires occur when people use gas grills and about 20 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these fires and explosions occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill's gas container.

To reduce these risks, consumers should:

Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.

Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can't move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.

Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.

If you detect a gas leak, immediately turn off the gas at the tank and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.

Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from a leaking grill.

Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from any building. Do not use the grill in a garage, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.

When lighting the grill, keep the top open. If the grill does not light in first several attempts, wait 5 minutes to allow gas to dissipate.

Never attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.

Consumers should use caution when storing LP gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill. Never store a full container indoors. Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

To avoid incidents while transporting LP gas containers, consumers should transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, causing the relief valve to open and allowing gas to escape.

CPSC worked with the industry to develop a new voluntary standard to prevent LP gas leaks. Grills meeting this standard will shut themselves off if a gas leak occurs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at http://cpsc.gov/about/who.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.

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