New propane standards aim to make grilling safer

The rules are being issued at the height of the summer grilling season

By Julie Vallese
CNN Consumer Safety Editor

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Consumer advocates say a new industry standard designed to prevent gas grill fires or explosions should make cookouts safer.

"Families can use their gas grills with greater safety" now that a new rule will prevent the over-filling of propane gas tanks, Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Ann Brown said Tuesday.

Each year there are about 600 fires or explosions by gas grills, injuring at least 30 people.

"CPSC pushed for these safety standards to help prevent deaths and injuries," Brown said.

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The standard now requires new propane gas tanks to have an "over-fill prevention device" on the tank. New tanks will now have valve handles with three "lobes" or prongs as opposed to the older five prong models. Consumer with the older models should trade them in for newer tanks.

In 1995, the industry adopted a different set of safety standards involving gas grills, hoses and connections. Those included limiting gas flow if a hose breaks, a shut-off switch if the grill overheats and a device to shut off gas flow if the hose and grill are not connected properly.

With summer being the height of the gas grilling season, the CPSC reminds consumers of the following safety precautions:

- Check grill hoses for cracks, holes or leaks and have any damaged parts repaired.

- Keep gas hoses away from hot surfaces or dripping grease.

- Keep propane tanks upright.

- Never store a spare propane container or other flammable liquids near the grill.

- Never keep a filled propane container in a car trunk.