Above: Gottheimer announces his new three-part “Grill Safety Plan”

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Today, Monday, July 29, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) launched his new three-part “Grill Safety Plan” during National Grilling Month to reduce the risk of grill-related injuries. Gottheimer was also joined by safety advocates to highlight simple tips for safe grilling this summer. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 22,155 Americans go to the emergency rooms every year because of grill injuries. July is peak season for grill fires. According to the NFPA, there are more than 11,000 home fires each year that involve grills, barbecues, and hibachis. These fires cause approximately $172 million a year in direct property damage. 

Video of Gottheimer’s remarks here.

“There is nothing like those summer days, firing up the grill and searing some hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and some good Jersey corn. Whether you have your own grill or take advantage of the fantastic grill pits at parks like this one, grilling is one of our great American summer pastimes,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why, as part of National Grilling Month, I’m announcing today a three-part Grill Safety Plan to ensure all Jersey families can barbecue safely this summer.”

“I am honored to welcome Congressman Gottheimer to our town today. Congressman Gottheimer’s unwavering dedication to public service and tireless advocacy for our community have made a profound impact on our town and beyond. His commitment to addressing critical issues, fostering unity, and promoting progress exemplifies true leadership,” said River Edge Mayor Thomas Papaleo. “And now, he continues his unrelenting service to you with new grill safety legislation. Grill fires are prolific during the summer. And year-round, families in their homes are placed in jeopardy in Jersey around 11,000 times a year. As Mayor, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Congressman Josh Gottheimer for his outstanding service and dedication to our service.”

Risks Associated with Grilling Include:

• Burns: Nearly forty-seven percent of the grill-related injuries that land Americans in the hospital are thermal burns. Nearly 3,000 children each year go to the ER because they get burned by a grill.
• Grill Fires: Gas grills are involved in more than 9,000 fires annually. In May, a grill fire destroyed a home in Howell Township.
• Metal Grill Brushes: According to a 2016 study, 1,700 Americans went to an emergency room between 2002 and 2014 because they ingested wire bristles in grilled food. One in four of those people had to be admitted to the hospital. 
• Carbon Monoxide: According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 100,000 people visit the ER and 400 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. There have been several documented cases of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of grilling in garages and homes without sufficient ventilation.
• Food-Borne Illness: The CDC reports that nearly 48 million Americans get a food-borne illness each year — because they inadvertently eat something that’s contaminated, don’t wash their hands, or cook their meat all the way through. Of that, 128,000 people are hospitalized annually, and 3,000 die.

Gottheimer’s Three Part Grill Safety Plan Includes:

1. The Strengthening Awareness and Funding Education for Grilling Act or SAFE Grilling Act, commonsense legislation that will fund and direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission launch a public awareness campaign on grill safety, addressing leaks, burns, wire brushes, and other key safety tips. 
2. A letter to the FDA, asking them to update their guidance on food-borne illnesses like E.Coli and Salmonella and make them more understandable for everyday Americans. 
3. A letter to the National Fire Protection Association, asking them to update their guidance and best practices to fire departments in communities around the country on grill safety that they can share in an easy to access, understandable way.

In addition to his “Grill Safety Plan,” Gottheimer joined Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Gian Varbaro and Bergen & Passaic County Division of Consumer Affairs Director Christina D’Aloia to provide some tips on safe grilling.

Tips for Safe Grilling Include:

• Establish a safety zone around your grill and never leave it unattended.
• Make sure to stock up on grill accessories as well like mitts, tongs, and aprons.
• Clean your grills to prevent grease build-up.
• Locate the nearest fire extinguisher and have it ready in case of a grill fire.
• Replace your wire brushes each grilling season because the bristles get weaker over time — and consider alternatives like sponges, aluminum foil, and nylon bristle brushes to keep the grill clean.
• If you start feeling a headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and more while grilling, turn the grill off and seek medical treatment immediately.
• Cook meat all the way through to prevent food-borne illnesses — and sanitize both your hands and grill before cooking.
• Make sure to keep your grill’s owner’s manual and use your grill in the way it’s intended.
  • Only use grills indoors that are meant for indoor grilling.
• Don’t use too much starter fluid.

• Check and make sure there aren’t any gas leaks. 
• Clean your grill after every use.
• Wear appropriately fitting clothing without loose pieces to avoid them catching fire.
• Make sure to cook your food through, not to cross contaminate, and to properly store your food after it has been cooked.

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, River Edge Mayor Thomas Papaleo, River Edge Councilman Barry Benson, River Edge Councilwoman Michelle Kauffman, River Edge Fire Chief Robert Schlossberg, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Gian Varbaro, Bergen & Passaic County Division of Consumer Affairs Director Christina D’Aloia, and members of the River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Below: Gottheimer announces his new three-part “Grill Safety Plan.”

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery: 

Hello, everyone! I’m delighted to join you just before lunch hour here at Veteran’s Memorial Park in River Edge. As you know, July is National Grilling Month, which makes perfect sense. July 4th is the Super Bowl of grilling! In fact, my family and I just grilled Friday night. There is nothing like those summer days, firing up the grill and searing some hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and some good Jersey corn. Whether you have your own grill or take advantage of the fantastic grill pits at parks like this one, grilling is one of our great American summer pastimes. But, we have to make sure that we all barbecue safely. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 22,155 Americans go to the emergency rooms every year because of grill injuries. Yes, I was shocked, too. That’s roughly the equivalent of every River Edge resident going to the ER twice a year because of a grilling accident. July isn’t only National Grilling Month — it’s also peak season for grill fires. There are more than 11,000 home fires each year that involve grills, barbecues, and hibachis. These fires are dangerous and costly: they cause approximately $172 million a year in direct property damage. 

That’s why I’m here today — to announce a new three-part Grill Safety Plan to help reduce some of the grill-related injuries that surge in July and all summer long. Like you, I love grilling. I just want everyone to grill safely.

We know that this is an issue here in River Edge. When we spoke with Fire Chief Schlossberg, we learned that they get a half a dozen grill fire calls every year. And, there have been more grill fires in the past six months than there were in the last two years. 

Here is the good news: there are some simple steps folks can take to help avoid these grill-related accidents. 

Let’s start with burns. Nearly half — forty-seven percent — of the grill-related injuries that land Americans in the hospital are thermal burns — those could come directly from a grill fire or inadvertently touching the rack, coals, or hood. These are especially damaging for our young children. Nearly 3,000 children each year go to the ER because they get burned by a grill. 

As a father of two, it breaks my heart to see so many kids getting injured by something we can avoid. We can — and must — fix this. The simplest step is to establish a safety zone around your grill and to never leave it unattended, ensuring that your children don’t accidentally run into a hot surface. Make sure to stock up on grill accessories as well like mitts, tongs, and aprons. They’re currently selling aprons that say “The Grillfather” on Amazon, and I don’t think you can get any more Jersey than that.

Then, there are the grill fires, which are especially common with gas grills. Gas grills are involved in more than 9,000 fires annually. Some of these are happening right in our backyard: in May, a grill fire destroyed a home in Howell Township. Thankfully, the family escaped without injuries. But, it could have turned out much, much worse. These grill fires are often the result of leaks and breaks in the grills themselves. 

It’s also critical that you clean your grills because there’s no better accelerant for a fire than grease. According to National Fire Protection Association data, in roughly one-fifth of fires, grills had not been cleaned. Make sure to completely clean your grill between uses and regularly inspect your grills for any breakages in propane tanks, ventilation equipment, or the grill hood.

Speaking of cleaning, though, we also have to be vigilant about metal grill brushes. The little bristles that help scrub grills clean can easily break off and land on the grill. They’re the perfect size to get stuck in a burger and unfortunately, get stuck in a person’s throat. According to a 2016 study, 1,700 Americans went to an emergency room between 2002 and 2014 because they ingested wire bristles in grilled food. One in four of those people had to be admitted to the hospital.  

These little bristles often go undetected but can cause a lot of damage: perforating your bowels, tearing up your throat, and causing infections. You should switch up your wire brushes each grilling season because the bristles get weaker over time — and consider alternatives like sponges, aluminum foil, and nylon bristle brushes to keep the grill clean.

The most dangerous grill risks come from carbon monoxide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 100,000 people visit the ER and 400 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. To be clear, grills aren’t the only culprit, but there have been several documented cases of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of grilling in garages and homes without sufficient ventilation. In fact, last year, New York State highlighted the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from grills in its grill safety consumer alert. If you start feeling a headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and more while grilling, turn the grill off and seek medical treatment immediately.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the safety risks of the food you’re actually cooking. According to the CDC, nearly 48 million Americans get a food-borne illness each year — because they inadvertently eat something that’s contaminated, don’t wash their hands, or cook their meat all the way through. Of that, 128,000 people are hospitalized annually, and 3,000 die. Your grill can help prevent food-borne illness — if you clean it between uses and cook meat all the way through. So, as simple as it may sound: wash your hands and cook your meat. Please, as I’m sure the good doctor will tell you, don’t take your chicken off the grill if there’s still pink in it.

Again, here is the good news: all of these problems are solvable. And I love problems that can be solved! Public awareness is critical, but unfortunately, too many Americans don’t know about the simple but important steps they can take to keep grilling safe. That’s why, as part of National Grilling Month, I’m announcing today a three-part Grill Safety Plan to ensure all Jersey families can barbecue safely this summer.

First, I’m introducing the Strengthening Awareness and Funding Education for Grilling Act or SAFE Grilling Act. This commonsense legislation will fund and direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC to launch a public awareness campaign on grill safety. It will give Americans the tips they need to keep themselves and their family safe while grilling and having fun this summer.  Again, we all love to barbecue – I just want folks to be safe. 

The CPSC was created in 1972 to develop and enforce uniform safety standards for the products we know and love, ranging from toys to ATVs. To keep the public safe, they’ve invested heavily in awareness campaigns, including a very viral firework safety demonstration that they put together every July. This grill safety campaign will address leaks, burns, wire brushes, and those key safety tips. 

With my SAFE Grilling Act, they’ll be able to educate the public on grilling risks and the best practices we can all take to protect ourselves and prevent fires. 

Second, I’m also writing to the FDA asking them to update their guidance to Americans on food safety – tips folks can take to avoid food-borne illnesses like E. Coli from raw hamburger meat and Salmonella from chicken that’s not cooked through.  They should post these tips online and make them easily available and understandable for families to access.  

Finally, I’m also asking the National Fire Protection Association to update their guidance and best practices to fire departments in communities around the country on grill safety that they can share in an easy to access, understandable way.

There is clearly nothing partisan about grill safety — just commonsense policy and steps.

By working together, here in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us. Thank you and please remember to be safe this summer. God bless you, your families, and God bless the United States of America.

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