With summer on the way, it's time to check your grill
The Consumer Product Safety Commission just issued an alert for more than 87,000 gas grills that may have leaky regulators. Hundreds of leaks have been reported and there's concerned the leaks could lead to fire and injury.
The two STOK brand propane grills were manufactured by One World Technologies. The "STOK Quattro" is a rectangular 4-burner grill with the propane tank enclosed. The "STOK Island" has a round grill base and two burners with the tank exposed. The units were sold nationwide at Home Depot and Direct Tools Factory Outlet stores between March 2011 and February 2012. Owners should stop using them and contact the manufacturer for a free regulator replacement.
Even if your grill is not part of the recall, it could have warning signs of grill fires or injuries in the making. No one knows that better that Captain Kyle Ohashi with the Kent Fire Department. Ohashi says across the country, there are an estimated 18,000 grill-related accidents every year.
"Incidents across the country are fairly common," said Ohashi. "Five out of six of them are related to gas grills, which I think is what the majority of us have now days."
If you're one of those grillers who simply brushes off the grates every spring then fires up the burners, Captain Ohashi says back up and check for three red flags.
Inspect the tank and connections for signs of rust and corrosion.
"There may be some kind of damage or weakened metal that eventually could cause you a problem," Ohashi explained.
Inspect the hose for signs of cracking.
"When you consider that all this hose is directly under the flames themselves, it could reach a heat source and ignite." Ohashi continued.
And check for loose connections -- another sign gas may be leaking. If any part of your grill's gas delivery system shows excessive signs of wear, Captain Ohashi says you should replace it.
"If people are concerned about leaks or potential leaks or cracks in the tank or in the hose or any part of the delivery system, replace it. It's not worth the risk. Because the damage you can cause to your property, your neighbor's property, the health risk to you and your family, is not worth it. For just a few dollars you can replace the bottle or replace the delivery system, and so do that, just for your own piece of mind," he said.
