Health Education

Let's Cook, Y'all: The ADPH Guide to Grill Safety

  • Newsroom
  • May 22, 2025

This time of year encompasses a lot of seasons. Lake season. Baseball season. Boating season. Camping season.

And, perhaps most importantly....grilling season.

We at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) want to help you have a safe summer full of delicious grilled meals, so we've put together this little guide to help you enjoy what dads the world over refer to as "the most wonderful time of the year."

Let's Talk Gear

Whether you're cooking over the open flames of a campfire in the woods, or on the stainless steel grid nestled inside your 2XL Big Green Egg, there are rules to follow to keep yourself and those around you safe. After all, the only thing worse than burning your burgers is burning down your house.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the months of May through August are the peak months for grill fires, with July leading the way (based on 2019-2023 annual averages). Roughly one-fourth of those fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Propane grills were involved in nearly 10,000 home fires over that period of time.

Tips to prevent grill fires include:

  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup. In around one-fifth of the grill fires reported between 2019 and 2023, the NFPA found that the involved grill had not been cleaned.
  • Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use, and make sure the lid is open before you light it.

If you're using a charcoal grill, go easy on the lighter fluid! Too much of it can create a fireball that might look awesome, but can be extremely dangerous. Also, breathing in the fumes or consuming the fluid can lead to a variety of issues ranging from cough to chest pains to hallucinations to coma. Visit Mount Sinai online for more information on lighter fluid poisoning.

Finally, never use a grill indoors. Burning fuels such as charcoal, wood, or propane indoors can cause carbon monoxide to build up to dangerous levels. Carbon monoxide has no odor, taste, or color, and overexposure can lead to a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Long-term effects can include memory loss, personality changes, and other issues with the nervous system and brain. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. See the Mayo Clinic's feature on carbon monoxide poisoning to learn more.

If you're really getting into the spirit of the season and cooking over a campfire, be sure to follow these safety tips:

  • Be aware of local campfire regulations and requirements.
  • Be aware of current fire conditions and check for any active burn bans.
  • Keep your campfire at an appropriate size, and make sure it is at least 15 feet away from tents, shrubs, trees, and other flammable objects.
  • Avoid cooking over a fire where additives such as accelerants, chemicals, or flame-enhancing products have been used.

Visit A Boy Scout's Guide to Campfire Cooking for more information.

Let's Talk Food

The basics of food safety remain the same no matter where or how you are cooking. Let's review those rules:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before cooking and before eating.
  • Keep raw food separate from cooked food. Be careful to use different utensils for raw and cooked food.
  • Marinate food in the refrigerator. If you're going to use the marinade as a sauce, don't use the same portion you used to marinate your raw food. Reserve some of the marinade separately to use while cooking.
  • Cook food thoroughly, and keep a food thermometer handy. Foodsafety.gov has a guide showing the proper temperatures for different foods.
  • When it comes to storing any leftovers, this storage chart will guide you in how long you can keep prepared foods in the refrigerator or freezer.


Let's Talk Recipes

Grilling your food is considered one of the healthiest options out there, as long as it is done safely and correctly. Once you've got your gear ready and have a thorough understanding of how to handle food, all you need are some good recipes. Here are a few that will help keep your family healthy and satisfied throughout the summer:

There's nothing quite like a warm summer evening on the deck, in the backyard, or at the campground, spending time with family and friends while something good sizzles over an open flame. Here's to a safe, healthy grilling season! Now...let's eat!

Additional Resources