Grill Safe This Summer: Protect Your Home and Family

There’s nothing like firing up the grill on a warm summer day. Whether it’s a weekend BBQ with friends or dinner on the patio, Canadians love to cook outdoors. But before you spark that flame, it’s important to remember: with great grilling comes great responsibility.

Grilling Fires Are More Common Than You Think

According to the Canadian Red Cross, home fires peak in the summer months—often linked to outdoor cooking. While stats vary year to year, fire departments across Canada respond to hundreds of BBQ-related incidents annually, many resulting in significant property damage and injuries.

Gas grills are the top culprit, often due to leaks or improper use, while charcoal grills pose their own risks when not properly monitored.

Tips to Grill Safely and Keep Your Home Protected

To help avoid accidents—and potential insurance claims—follow these safety tips:

• Check for gas leaks before every use. Move your gas grill away from the house (at least 1.5 metres), and use soapy water to check for bubbles around hose connections. If bubbles appear, turn off the gas immediately and repair the leak.
• Open the lid before lighting. Never ignite a gas grill with the lid closed—this can cause a dangerous gas buildup and potential explosion.
• If it doesn’t light right away, stop. Turn off the gas and wait a few minutes before trying again to allow any unburned gas to dissipate.
• Always supervise your grill. Leaving it unattended—even for a minute—can lead to disaster. This is especially important on apartment balconies or decks, where nearly 30% of grill-related structure fires begin.
• Keep it out of high-traffic areas. Burns and injuries often happen when people—especially kids—accidentally bump into hot grills.
• Never use gasoline or other accelerants to start a fire in charcoal or wood grills.

Why This Matters for Your Home Insurance

Fires caused by outdoor cooking can lead to costly damage—and may even impact your home insurance coverage. While your policy typically protects against fire damage, neglect or unsafe practices might complicate a claim.

At PetleyHare Insurance Brokers, we want to help you protect what matters most—your home, your loved ones, and your peace of mind. If you’re unsure what your policy covers when it comes to fire damage or liability, we’re here to review it with you and make sure you’re properly protected.

Have questions about your home insurance coverage?

Contact PetleyHare Insurance Brokers today to speak with one of our trusted advisors.