FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 4, 2001
Release # 01-185
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC Helps Make Grills Safer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
helped industry develop a new safety standard to prevent over-filling of
propane gas tanks. This standard will help prevent propane leaks that
can cause fires and explosions.
Propane gas is highly flammable. Each year, about 600
fires/explosions occur with gas grills resulting in injuries to about 30
people. The new safety standard for propane gas tanks requires that an
"over-fill prevention device" be installed in new gas tanks. The new
propane gas tanks have valve handles with three "lobes" (prongs) while
older tanks have valve handles with five prongs. People with older
propane gas tanks should trade them in for the new, safer tanks.
A different industry standard (adopted in 1995 at the urging of
CPSC) provided for several safety features in the gas grills, hoses, and
connections. The safety standard called for a device to limit the flow
of gas if the hose ruptures; a mechanism to shut-off the grill if it
overheats; and a device to prevent the flow of gas if the connection
between tank and grill is not leak-proof. People who have grills that
do not meet the 1995 standard should either get a new grill or be
especially attentive to the safety tips below.
"CPSC pushed for these safety standards to help prevent deaths and
injuries," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Now families can use their
gas grills with greater safety."
Gas Grill Safety Tips
Here are some safety tips to reduce the risk of fire or explosion
with gas grills:
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.
Always keep propane gas containers upright.
Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.
Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will
cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and
allow gas to escape.
Charcoal Grill Safety Tips
Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a
colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed
environments. Each year about 19 people die as a result of CO fumes
from charcoal being burned inside. To reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
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 fumes until the charcoal is completely
extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.
In 1996, CPSC revised the label on charcoal packaging to more
explicitly warn consumers of the deadly CO gas that is released when
charcoal is burned in a closed environment. The new label reads,
"WARNING...CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD...Burning charcoal inside can kill
you. It gives off carbon monoxide, which has no odor. NEVER burn
charcoal inside homes, vehicles or tents." The new label also conveys
the written warning visually with drawings of grills inside a home,
tent, and vehicle. The drawings are enclosed in a circle with an "X"
through it.