FASNY warns grill safety ahead of Memorial Day

The Firefighters Association of the State of New York told New Yorkers on May 19 to review basic grill-safety practices before Memorial Day weekend, when many households pull grills out for the first big cookout of the season. The warning was part of a broader pre-holiday push by local fire groups and food-safety sources tied to the start of summer grilling. Broome County firefighters issued a separate reminder the same day, and High Plains Journal published a food-handling explainer on May 20. (uticaod.com) ### What exactly did FASNY warn people to do? FASNY said grill users should follow standard precautions before and during holiday cookouts, including checking equipment, keeping grills clear of structures and combustibles, and not leaving a grill unattended. (wbng.com) The group said Memorial Day weekend often means people are using a grill for the first time in months. FASNY President David Jacobowitz said in the association’s Memorial Day safety guidance that “a barbecue grill could start a fire if certain safety rules are ignored.” The group’s published tips include checking for leaks, keeping the grill in an open area and away from the house, and supervising children around the cooking area. (uticaod.com) ### Why are fire groups focusing on grills before this weekend? The National Fire Protection Association said Memorial Day weekend is widely treated as the unofficial start of summer, when outdoor cooking activity rises. NFPA said gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year from 2019 through 2023, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires. (uticaod.com) NFPA also said about 20% of those fires involved grills that had not been cleaned. Between 2020 and 2024, an average of 21,682 patients went to emergency rooms each year because of grill-related injuries, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data cited by NFPA. (fasny.com) ### What did Broome County firefighters add? WBNG reported on May 19 that the Broome County Firefighters Association issued its own Memorial Day grilling warning and urged residents to stay safe while operating grills during the holiday. The station’s report matched the broader message from FASNY: holiday cookouts bring heavier grill use, and that raises the chance of preventable fires if equipment is used carelessly. (nfpa.org) Broome County’s notice shows the warning was not limited to a statewide association statement. Local firefighters were also using the days before Memorial Day to push the same message to residents in their own communities. (nfpa.org) ### Where does the food-safety angle come in? High Plains Journal reported on May 20 that Memorial Day also marks the start of grilling season from a food-safety standpoint, not only a fire-safety one. The outlet cited Kansas State University meat scientist Erin Beyer on consumer reminders tied to meat preparation and outdoor cooking. (wbng.com) That means the pre-holiday advice is arriving on two tracks: fire groups are focused on ignition risks and grill placement, while food-safety coverage is focused on handling meat safely as outdoor cooking picks up. ### What should people watch for before they light the grill? (wbng.com) NFPA’s published guidance says propane users should check tanks for leaks, keep grills clean of grease and fat buildup, and always open the lid before lighting a gas grill. The group also says grills should be placed far from homes, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches, and children and pets should be kept at least three feet away. (hpj.com) Memorial Day weekend begins on May 23 this year, with heavier backyard grilling expected through the holiday on Monday, May 25. FASNY’s guidance is already posted on its website, and Broome County’s local reminder was published on May 19 as departments moved into the holiday period. (hpj.com) (fasny.com) (nfpa.org)