Outdoor Grilling Safety Guide
Plan Ahead
Step 01 What You’ll Need
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Make sure to have the right items on hand
Tools: Water, metal bucket or container, aluminum foil, and a stirring utensil, such as metal tongs
- Use a hot coals container like this for disposal if available on your public lands
Cellphone: Call 911 immediately in case of emergency — if embers fly out of the charcoal grate and catch surrounding vegetation on fire.
Step 02 Know Before You Go
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Call or check online for grilling restrictions
Search for ‘outdoor campfire restrictions’ followed by your location, local parks and recreation organization, or public lands agency.
Don’t use charcoal grills if a campground, area, or event rules prohibit them.
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Check the weather
Don’t use charcoal grills in hazardous, dry, or windy conditions.
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Check the grill type
If available, opt to use a propane or electric grill instead of a charcoal grill. These types of grills are safer, as they don’t typically spread embers the way charcoal grills do.
Stay Safe
Step 03 Maintain the Surrounding Area
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Keep away from flammable objects
Whether using a charcoal, electric, or propane grill, make sure flammable objects and tree overhangs are at least 3 feet away from the grill.
Step 04 Keep an Eye On It
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Never leave the grill unattended
Always be vigilant around your grill — don’t play around, and keep an eye on children and pets.
Extinguish Your Coals
Step 05 Drown, Stir, Drown, Feel
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Drown
Pour lots of water on the coals until the hissing sound stops, drowning all the embers. Let coals cool down before handling.
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Stir
Use your utensil to stir the water with the coals and mix well until no embers are exposed or smoldering, not just the red ones.
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Drown
Continue adding water until all coals are cool.
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Feel
Hover the back of your hand over the coals to feel the embers are cool — don’t leave without making sure your fire is entirely out.
Dispose Coals Safely
Step 06 Properly Dispose of Coals
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Wrap coals in foil
When the ash has completely cooled off, wrap coals in aluminum foil.
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Dispose safely in the correct bins
Once you have made sure coals are completely cooled off and wrapped up, dispose in a non-combustible outdoor trash bin, not on the ground.
If using a personal metal container, cover with a lid and pack out what you carry in.
If using a large public bin, carefully place the wrapped coals into the bin.