Missouri Charcoal Grilling Rules You Should Never Ignore

As we approach one of the biggest grilling weekends of the year, it's important to know the rules that the state of Missouri has in place to help you do it safely and successfully.

Charcoal grilling rules are a real thing in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Public Safety has an entire section of their site dedicated to cooking fire safety. They say that a vast majority of house fires in America is the result of cooking and Missouri is no exception. It seems that an alarming number of fires begin because of faulty grilling attempts. The list of do's and don'ts aren't recommendations. They are rules that can get you into real trouble if you don't follow them.

What are the Missouri charcoal grilling rules?

Grilling inside isn't just a good way to start a fire inside your home. It can also cause you to be exposed to dangerous carbon monoxide. It can take less than 5 minutes to get fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

You are not supposed to leave your grill unattended when it's lit and cooking. You'd be surprised how many flammable events happen when a lone spark escapes the grill. If you're not there, you have no way to intervene and prevent a fast-spreading grill fire.

One of the more common grilling no-no's that happen in Missouri involve drinking while grilling. If you have an active fire going and aren't alert, you're asking for trouble. The same situation can get out of control if you're taking medication that makes you drowsy. Being alert while grilling is vital.

If you think an extra shot of starter fluid is a good idea after the grill is already ignited, you're asking for a flash fire. You'd be surprised how many people end up in the emergency room just because they tried to get a grill blazing just a little hotter with starter fluid.

Propane cylinders can be a real danger if not handled properly. The over-fill protection regulates the flow of propane before it exceeds the capacity. Serious injuries can result from mismanagement of these devices.

Since the grill is often the center of family get-togethers, it's easy to forget the danger of a blazing hot grill with kids and/or pets that can get too close and possibly cause a tragedy. Best to keep a radius of at least a half dozen feet clear around the grill where children and pets aren't.