Escambia County Fire Rescue Risk Reduction Report: Grilling Fires

As many Escambia County residents plan to fire up the grill during the 4th of July, Escambia County Fire Rescue urges grilling safety during the holiday.

Incident Report Summaries for Grilling-related Fires in Escambia County during 2025:

• March 7, 2025: ECFR and Escambia County EMS responded to a medical call involving injuries sustained while grilling. A flammable liquid other than lighter fluid had caused high flames, resulting in injury.
• May 5, 2025: ECFR was called to extinguish a grill fire at a residence. Firefighters utilized a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames, and no injuries occurred.

Statistics on Grilling Fires

Based on 2019-2023 annual averages throughout the United States:

• July (15%) was the peak month for grill fires, followed by June (14%), May (13%) and August (12%).
• The grill had not been cleaned in roughly one-fifth (20%) of the fires.
• More than one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Eight percent began when an outside wall caught fire; 3% began with some type of structural member or framing.
• Gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Six percent of gas grill structure fires and 13% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks.
• According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2020-2024, an average of 21,682 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills.

*Information provided by the National Fire Protection Association

Grilling Safety Tips

• For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat build-up from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Place the grill away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
• If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• When you have or are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container.
• Never leave your grill unattended when in use.

Escambia County Fire Rescue would like to wish everyone a fun and safe 4th of July. 

Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

The purpose of the report is to share the importance of having functional smoke detectors inside a home or business. Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors play a vital role in reducing deaths and injuries.

Did You Know:

• Roughly three out of five deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• More than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms

*Information provided by NFPA.org.

Smoke Detector Safety Tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
• Working smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Escambia County Fire Rescue has a program to provide and install FREE smoke alarms. For information about obtaining a home smoke alarm, call 850-595-HERO (4376). City of Pensacola residents may call 850-436-5200 for assistance with obtaining a smoke alarm.

Escambia County Fire Rescue is Hiring!

ECFR invites Florida-certified firefighters to join us! 

Benefits include:

• 48/96 schedule
• Access to the employee health clinic
• Competitive health benefits
• Florida Retirement System (with a Special Risk multiplier)
• 14 paid holidays
• Educational EMT, Paramedic and special teams incentive pay opportunities
• Consistent training opportunities

Interested in joining ECFR? Apply today: MyEscambia.com/Careers

Escambia County Fire Rescue proudly operates as a combination fire service, utilizing the talents and diversities of volunteer and career firefighting personnel. Career personnel operate in 16 stations throughout the county. 15 stations work a 48/96-hour shift, and one station works Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer firefighters operate out of numerous stations throughout Escambia County. Escambia County Fire Rescue also provides other emergency services such as hazardous materials response, special operations and ALS non-transport. Learn more about how to join Escambia County Fire Rescue. Follow Escambia County Fire Rescue on Facebook and Instagram.