Propane Grilling Safety: 7 Tips for Staying Safe When Grilling Outdoors

What You’ll Learn

How do I keep my family safe while grilling with propane?

Grilling safety comes down to seven simple habits: keeping your grill at least 10 feet from your house, checking tanks and hoses for leaks each season, having fire safety materials nearby, cleaning your grill regularly, creating a child-free zone, waiting five minutes if the flame goes out, and never leaving the grill unattended.

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This blog was updated March 2026.

Nothing beats the smell of barbecue in the spring and summer. It’s a time when families get together.

Barbecues are times to enjoy each other. We share our favorite barbecue dishes and sides over laughs and fun stories.

Memories are made over grilled food. Like sunshine and the beach, they are synonymous with summertime. 

Unfortunately, grilling can also become dangerous when grilling safety tips aren’t followed.

Whatever grill your family uses, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of grilling. This way, you can make sure your grilling season is safe for all the right reasons this year.

Grilling Safety Statistics

According to propane grilling statistics from the National Fire Protection Association: 

• In 2019, 19,000 people went to the ER due to injuries from grills
• 9,300 injuries resulted from thermal burns from a grill
• In 2019, on average, 10,200 home fires were started by grills each year
• 70% of U.S. homes own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill, or smoker

The bright side of these statistics is that you don’t have to be one.

If you follow a few basic grilling safety tips, you can stay safe this grilling season. All your family and friends can laugh and enjoy amazing food grilled to perfection. 

Grilling Safety Tips

We can all agree that nothing tastes much better than a juicy hamburger cooked perfectly on a grill. Follow these 7 propane grilling safety tips to be the BBQ star in your social circle. You’ll be a grilling safety master!

1. Create a Safe Grilling Space

On average, keep your propane grill, or any other grill, at least 10 feet away from your house.

This distance should be maintained from deck railings or any other flammable substances near your home.

It’s also important to remember that grills should never be used in a screened-in patio. 

By keeping to the 10-foot rule, you can provide a safe grilling space for yourself, friends, and family.

2. Check Your Tank and Hoses

Each year, check your tank for dents and your hoses for any potential gas leaks. Get down on the ground and check that tank for dents. This simple 2-minute check will ensure a safe grilling environment for your family.

According to the NFPA, the easiest way to check for potential gas leaks is to use a water and soap solution. Pour the solution on your hose and look closely for bubbles.

If you notice bubbles, you have a gas leak. If there is no flame, make sure to turn off both the grill and the propane tank and have it serviced by a professional.

3. Have Fire Safety Materials Nearby

The easiest way to make sure your family isn’t a statistic is to practice fire safety. This starts with having the right materials nearby.

Keep baking soda, a bucket of sand, and a fire extinguisher nearby. This will keep your grilling area prepared for any worst-case scenario. Remember to never use water on a grease fire. Keep these three materials nearby to provide a safe space for your propane grill.

4. Clean Your Grill Regularly

Part of having a safe grilling space is keeping your grill clean after every use.

Here are some things you’ll need: 

• A stainless-steel grill brush with a scraper
• A bucket with dish soap and a sponge
• A rag to wipe down your grill racks

To clean your grill, follow these simple steps. Use a stainless-steel grill brush to remove debris stuck to the grill racks. Follow up with the scraper for any hard-to-brush debris.

Next, remove the grill racks and soak them in the bucket with a soapy water solution. Clean the racks. Wipe down the racks with your rags and place them back on the grill. Follow these easy steps to keep your grill safe and free of hazards from your last grilling session. 

5. Make Your Grilling Space a Child-Free Zone

According to the National Fire Protection Association, children account for 38% of grilling injuries due to contact burns. The easiest way to make sure your child isn’t a statistic is to make your grilling space a child-free zone.

6. If the Flame Goes Out, Wait

It can be very tempting, especially while cooking for guests, to attend to the flame right away after it goes out. Please don’t! If the flame goes out, use proper propane grilling safety etiquette. Wait 5 minutes before trying to relight your grill. This will ensure that your grill will not have gas in the air that could burn you. 

Be sure to keep your grill open while you wait. This will ensure you don’t trap any gas in your grill. When relighting, try to stand back 3 feet as the grill lights back up. 

7. Do Not Leave Your Grill Unattended

It goes without saying, but think about it: how many times have you left your grill? Even if only for a minute to go grab condiments, buns, cooking utensils, or more food. Don’t do it! It’s not worth it.

Have a handy grill-mate! Let them be your runner when you need things for your grilling station. By doing this, you can keep your eyes on the grill and provide safety for all your guests at your barbecue. If you have to leave, have another adult watch the grill for you, or turn off your gas and propane tank. 

Grill Safely All Season Long

No one likes to think about the worst-case scenario. To make sure your barbecue is safe this season, follow these grilling safety tips.

You can also read our blog for more propane safety tips and education. 

Propane isn’t just for grilling. If you’re looking for a clean, efficient energy source for your home, consider Kauffman Gas.

Become a Kauffman Gas customer today for propane delivery, installation, and service in Chester County, PA, and Northern Delaware.

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