How common are grill fires and fireworks injuries?

U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 12,141 home grill fires per year, causing 15 deaths, 171 injuries, and $241 million in property damage (NFPA, 2020–2024). CPSC reports an estimated 13,000 fireworks-related ER injuries in 2025 — with sparklers alone accounting for 1,300 injuries. Sparklers burn at approximately 2,000°F, hot enough to melt some metals (CPSC). July is the peak month for both. Most incidents are preventable with consistent habits: proper grill placement, a 3-foot child and pet zone, grease management, and following CPSC fireworks safety guidelines.

Grill & Fireworks Safety: How to Keep Your Summer Cookout Injury-Free

Two numbers worth knowing before your next cookout: 12,141 and 13,000.

The first is the average number of home grill fires U.S. fire departments respond to every year (NFPA, 2020–2024). The second is the estimated number of fireworks-related ER visits in 2025 alone (CPSC). July is peak month for both. Combined, that’s more than 25,000 preventable incidents every summer — most involving a few simple habits that were skipped.

The good news: these injuries follow predictable patterns. Proper grill placement, a clean grease trap, a 3-foot zone around the heat, and basic fireworks rules prevent the vast majority. Here’s the guide.

Grill Safety: The Rules That Prevent 12,000 Fires a Year

Placement: 10 Feet from Everything

NFPA recommends placing your grill at least 10 feet from the house, deck railings, eaves, overhanging branches, and any structure. This single rule addresses the most common grill fire scenario — approximately one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch (NFPA).

Never grill indoors or in any enclosed space. Carbon monoxide from both charcoal and gas grills accumulates rapidly in enclosed areas — garages, covered porches, tents, and screened-in patios. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can be fatal. Grills belong outside, in open air, every time.

The 3-Foot Zone

NFPA recommends keeping children and pets at least 3 feet from a hot grill. That zone also applies to anything flammable: paper plates, towels, oven mitts, food packaging, and lighter fluid. A simple verbal boundary — “this is the grill zone, stay behind the chairs” — is often all it takes.

Grease and Flare-Ups

One in five grill fires occurred when the grill had not been cleaned (NFPA). Built-up grease and fat in grill trays and on grates are fuel waiting for a spark.

• Clean grease traps and grates regularly — especially at the start of the season and after heavy use.
• If a grease fire flares up: close the lid and turn off the burners. Closing the lid starves the fire of oxygen. This is the most effective immediate response.
• Never throw water on a grease fire. Water causes grease to splatter and the fire to spread. This is the single most dangerous mistake people make with grill fires.
• Check gas connections before the season. Apply soapy water to the hose and regulator connections with the gas turned on. Bubbles indicate a leak. Six percent of gas grill structure fires were caused by leaks or breaks (NFPA).

While You’re Grilling

• Never leave a lit grill unattended.
• Open the lid before lighting a gas grill. Gas can accumulate inside a closed lid and ignite in a flash.
• Never add charcoal lighter fluid to coals that are already lit.
• Let coals cool completely before disposing — in a metal container, away from anything flammable.

Fireworks Safety: The 2,000°F Sparkler and Other Surprises

Sparklers are the party favor that looks harmless. They are not. CPSC reports that sparklers burn at approximately 2,000°F — hot enough to melt some metals and hot enough to cause a third-degree burn in seconds. In 2025, sparklers alone accounted for an estimated 1,300 ER-treated injuries (CPSC).

The Numbers (CPSC, 2025)

• 13,000 estimated ER-treated fireworks injuries
• 15 reported deaths, most involving misuse or device malfunction
• 1,300 injuries from sparklers alone
• 35% of injuries: hands and fingers
• 22% of injuries: head, face, and ears
• 19% of injuries: eyes (AAO)
• 38% of all fireworks ER visits involved burns
• 15–24 age group: largest share of injuries

CPSC Safety Rules

CPSC’s standing recommendation: the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional public display. For those using consumer fireworks, follow local laws and every rule on this list. (For context on fireworks-related eye injuries specifically, see our guide to UV eye protection and summer eye safety.)

Burn First Aid: What to Do If Prevention Fails

This section describes general first-aid guidance based on American Red Cross and American Academy of Ophthalmology recommendations. It is not a substitute for medical care. When in doubt, call 911.

For Minor Burns

• Cool the burn under cool (not ice-cold) running water for at least 10 minutes. This is the most important first step.
• Cover loosely with a clean, dry, non-fluffy bandage or cloth.
• Do NOT apply butter, oil, toothpaste, or home remedies. These trap heat against the skin and can worsen the burn.
• Over-the-counter pain relief may help with discomfort. A pharmacist can advise on appropriate options.

Call 911 For

• Burns covering a large area of the body
• Burns on the face, hands, feet, groin, or over a joint
• Burns that appear deep (white or charred skin, or no pain at the burn site)
• Any burn in a child under 5 or an adult over 65
• Difficulty breathing (possible smoke or heat inhalation)

For Eye Injuries from Fireworks (AAO)

• Do NOT rub the eye
• Do NOT attempt to remove any object embedded in or near the eye
• Do NOT apply pressure to the eye
• Seek immediate medical care. Fireworks eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss. Approximately 19% of fireworks ER visits involve eye injuries (AAO).

Workplace Cookouts and Team Events

Company cookouts, team barbecues, and office-sponsored celebrations carry the same grill and fire risks as backyard events — often with more people, less familiarity with the equipment, and added liability considerations.

• Designate one person responsible for grill safety: placement, 3-foot zone, grease management, and monitoring. A grill without an assigned operator is an unattended grill.
• If fireworks are part of a company event, ensure a designated sober adult manages them, all CPSC guidelines are followed, and local regulations are checked. Many jurisdictions restrict consumer fireworks at commercial or public events.
• Have a first-aid kit on site with burn supplies: access to cool running water, clean non-stick bandages, and a phone for 911. Know the nearest fire extinguisher location.
• Combine with food safety. The same cookout that presents grill fire risk also presents food safety risk. Assign someone to watch the food clock alongside the grill operator. (For the full food safety guide, see our summer food safety guide.)

The Bottom Line

Twelve thousand grill fires. Thirteen thousand fireworks injuries. Most of them preventable with habits that take seconds: position the grill 10 feet out, enforce the 3-foot zone, clean the grease trap, close the lid on a flare-up, and respect the 2,000°F sparkler.

The single fact worth remembering from this entire guide: never throw water on a grease fire. Close the lid. That one response, applied in the moment, prevents the most common escalation from a flare-up to a structure fire.

Enjoy the cookout. Enjoy the fireworks. Just keep the safety habits in place — because the incidents that don’t happen are the ones nobody has to recover from.

Frequently Asked Questions

How common are grill fires in the United States?

U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 12,141 home grill fires per year (NFPA, 2020–2024), causing 15 deaths, 171 injuries, and $241 million in property damage. CPSC reports an average of 21,682 grill-related ER visits per year. July is the peak month, followed by June, May, and August.

How hot do sparklers burn?

Sparklers burn at approximately 2,000°F — hot enough to melt some metals and cause third-degree burns in seconds (CPSC). In 2025, sparklers alone accounted for an estimated 1,300 ER-treated injuries. CPSC advises that young children should never handle sparklers.

What should you do if a grease fire starts on the grill?

Close the lid and turn off the burners. Closing the lid cuts off the oxygen supply and is the most effective immediate response. Never throw water on a grease fire — water causes grease to splatter and the fire to spread. If the fire does not go out quickly, move away and call 911.

What is the correct first aid for a burn?

Cool the burn under cool (not ice-cold) running water for at least 10 minutes. Cover loosely with a clean, dry bandage or cloth. Do not apply butter, oil, toothpaste, or other home remedies. Call 911 for burns covering a large area, burns on the face or hands, deep burns (white or charred skin), or any burn in a child under 5.

How far should a grill be from the house?

NFPA recommends placing grills at least 10 feet from the house, deck railings, eaves, and overhanging branches. Approximately one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Never grill in an enclosed space (garage, covered patio, tent) due to carbon monoxide risk.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. fire departments respond to 12,141 home grill fires per year (NFPA), with 21,682 grill-related ER visits annually (CPSC). July is peak month.
• CPSC reports 13,000 fireworks injuries and 15 deaths in 2025. Sparklers alone caused 1,300 injuries. Hands/fingers (35%) and head/face/ears (22%) are the most common injury sites.
• Sparklers burn at approximately 2,000°F. They are not toys and are not appropriate for young children (CPSC).
• Grill placement (10 feet from structures), the 3-foot child/pet zone, and regular grease trap cleaning prevent the majority of grill fires.
• For a grease fire: close the lid. Never throw water on a grease fire. For fireworks duds: wait 20 minutes, then soak in water. These two responses prevent the most common escalations.
• For burns: cool with cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply butter or home remedies. Call 911 for serious burns, facial burns, or any eye injury from fireworks.

Published by LifeX Research Corp.LifeX Research Corporation is a health data research organization that analyzes real-world health trends and population health patterns. The organization operates in connection with an ERISA-governed, self-funded employee benefit plan and does not sell, market, broker, or underwrite health insurance.