
Fire-Prevention Strategies for Outdoor Grilling in Greater Chicago

Nasutsa Mabwa
June 3, 2015Though the first official day of summer isn’t until June 21, the sounds, sights and smells of the season are underway in the greater Chicago area. Who can argue that one of the best aromas of the summer is a juicy hamburger, T-bone steak or chicken kabob being grilled to perfection on an outdoor grill? A much less pleasant smell is that of charred wood from your deck or burning leaves due to an accidental fire.
Both propane gas grills and traditional charcoal grills can lead to an unwanted fire. For example, if a gas grill has a damaged gas line, it can become a fire hazard. Charcoal grills can be dangerous, too. If a hot coal escapes and manages to avoid the coal pan, it can quickly set your lawn or deck on fire. In fact, from 2007 to 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,800 home fires involving grills.
However, you can avoid a fire while grilling if you follow some extra safety precautions. Please keep these tips in mind before your next cook-out:
- Only use propane and charcoal BBQ grills outside.
- Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Put safety rules in place for children. Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Stay next to your grill at all times while cooking. Never leave the area unattended.
- Clean your grill often, removing any grease buildup from the grates and trays.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited. Never use any flammable or combustible liquid other then charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
- For propane grills, check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles. If you find a leak, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
- If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy to quickly douse a fire.
But if your grilling plans go terribly awry and turn into a nightmare because of a fire, you can turn to
ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons
for prompt and professional
fire and smoke damage restoration
. Serving the greater Chicago area, we have the tools and expertise to guide you through the stressful aftermath of a fire.
Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons
at 773-376-1110 to get an assessment of the damage and the restoration process started.
Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a nationally recognized, award-winning disaster restoration firm serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, mold remediation, and specialty cleaning services for both residential and commercial clients.
A respected business and civic leader, Nasutsa has received numerous honors for her contributions to the industry and her community. Her accolades include:
- Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies - 2025 recipient
- Top 100 Women to KNOW in America (2024) by KNOW Women & JPMorgan Chase
- Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40
- SB100 Best of Small Business Award
- 2020 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
- Stevie® Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award
- 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award
She is IICRC-certified in both Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), combining technical expertise with visionary leadership. Nasutsa holds a Master’s in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA in Real Estate Development from Roosevelt University.
Beyond her business achievements, Nasutsa is an active community advocate. She is a Board Member of the Civic Federation, an Advisory Board Member, and Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is also a long-standing member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO).
She is the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, an essential guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water and fire disasters.
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