SUNDAY, July 15, 2001 (HealthDayNews) -- To avoid making that next barbecue more of a blow-out than expected, experts are strongly encouraging gas grill owners to trade in their old propane tanks for a much-safer line that's now available.
The new tanks, created with the help of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are fitted with "overfill prevention devices" that prevent the spills and potential hazards of overfilling.
"The device makes it so that when you get your tank refilled at the propane supplier, it physically cannot be overfilled," explains Ken Giles, a spokesman for the CPSC. "That's good because if it were overfilled and then became hot, the gas could expand, the pressure relief valve would open and you'd have gas leaking out."
The new tanks have valve handles with three "lobes" -- or prongs -- while older tanks have valve handles with five prongs. People with the older tanks can go to most propane suppliers and trade them in for the new, safer tanks.
Duane Stanford, president of Stanford LP Gas in Midland, Mich., says that even with the new safety valves, it still important to use caution when handling propane gas tanks.
"We really stress that if you've got a cylinder in your car, you need to get it home as soon as you can and keep it from being in direct sunlight," he says. "That's because when the vehicle is sealed, it acts as a magnifying glass. So even if it's 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside the car can easily exceed 100 degrees."
The overfill device is a new addition to a set of industry standards adopted at the urging of the CPSC in 1995 to provide for several safety features in gas grills, hoses and connections.
The CPSC says about 600 fires or explosions occur with gas grills in the United States each year, resulting in injuries to about 30 people.
And cookout hazards aren't limited to those using gas grills, either.
Giles says charcoal grilling also poses risks if done improperly because of carbon monoxide emissions.
"Some people may think charcoal is benign, but you must never bring it indoors or even near open windows because it gives off a lot of carbon monoxide," he says. "In fact, every year there are about 20 deaths from carbon-monoxide poisonings due to things like bringing burning charcoal into a tent, into a van or an RV, or into a house."
Another big mistake charcoal users make is using flammable starter liquid after the charcoal has been lit, Giles adds.
"If you do add the liquid once the charcoal is lit, you're going to ignite the stream of flammable liquid and the ignition flame comes back up the stream and it ignites the can. The next thing you know, you've got a big fireball in your hands."
The CPSC offers additional 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.
What to Do: Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission for more information about safe grilling. And the Michigan Propane Gas Association offers safety tips for handling gas grills and propane gas.
