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Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
NW Insurance Council
Phone: (800) 664-4942
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
darrin.sanger@nwinsurance.org
Common sense a key ingredient for safe Fourth
of July barbecues
SEATTLE - Barbecuing outdoors is a terrific way to enjoy the
Fourth of July with friends and family. However, an improperly
handled grill can cause fires and propane tanks can be explosive.
Common sense is the key ingredient to prevent your holiday from
becoming tragic and costly.
Americans fire up barbecue grills more than three billion times
a year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In 2005,
gas and charcoal grills caused 3,400 structure fires and 4,900
outdoor fires in or on home properties, resulting in a combined
direct property loss of $137 million.
"Your Homeowners policy covers fire caused by a barbecuing accident,"
said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "However, the
cost, hassle and danger associated with a fire can be reduced
or eliminated by following common-sense safety guidelines that
can make an insurance claim unnecessary."
Backyard grillers with Homeowners Insurance can have peace of
mind knowing that standard policies cover damage to your home,
its contents and structures on your property caused by fire.
For furniture and personal belongings, most companies provide
replacement cost coverage up to 70 percent of the amount of insurance
you have on the structure of your home, subject to both your deductible
and policy limitations for special items such as jewelry, furs
or antiques.
NW Insurance Council offers these tips to help you safely enjoy
your barbecue this Fourth of July:
- When ready to barbecue, wear a heavy apron and an oven mitt
that fits high up over your forearm.
- With gas grills, make sure the gas cylinder is always stored
outside and away from your house. Make sure valves are off
when you are not using them. Regularly check for leaks in
the connections using a soap and water mix that will show
bubbles where gas escapes.
- Keep your barbecue grill on a level surface away from the
house. Be sure to leave sufficient space between the grill
and siding, eaves, garage, landscaping, and most of all, children.
- For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for
those grills. Never use gasoline, and only use a limited amount
of starter fluid. If the fire is too slow, add dry kindling
and more charcoal if necessary. Never add more liquid fuel.
You could experience a flash fire.
- Be sure to soak the coals with water before you put them
in the trash.
For more information on grilling safety and Homeowners Insurance,
contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942 or visit www.nwinsurance.org.
NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization
funded by member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon
and Idaho.
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