Up in Smoke: The BBQ Blunder Quiz

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Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Up in Smoke: The BBQ Blunder Quiz
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About This Quiz

A cookout can be a great time for family and friends. But a lapse of attention can result in drastic, and sometimes tragic, results. Do you how to make your next barbecue party a safe and successful one? Take our quiz to find out.
Which of the following are considered fire hazards for someone hoping to grill?
extremely fatty foods and/or grease buildup on the grill
a malfunctioning fuel line and/or tossing lighter fluid on a lit fire
all of the above
Anything that can cause a flame to flare up -- including fatty foods, grease buildup and a faulty fuel line -- can create a fire risk.

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When grilling, what is a reasonable amount of time to leave the grill unattended?
a minute or two
a maximum of five minutes
none
Given the quick-strike risk of a grill fire, it is highly recommended that a lit barbecue is never left unattended.

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When is it acceptable to grill under an enclosed space, like a tent or a garage?
between sundown and sunrise
when it's raining, or rain is in the forecast
never
Due to concerns with smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, it is never advisable to grill in a confined space.

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If a grill flame jumps to the hose between the gas tank and grill, what is the best course of action?
submerge the grill in water
toss dirt and/or sand on the grill
turn off the valve on the propane tank
The fastest and most effective way to extinguish a gas fire is to interrupt the fuel supply by turning off the tank valve.

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If a fuel line appears to be defective, which is the best course of action?
Use duct tape to seal the line and replace at your convenience.
Substitute charcoal in the bottom of your gas grill.
Immediately replace the worn out or broken parts before grilling.
Any time any part of our gas grill is defective, replace it immediately before using the grill again.

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Which of the following is an appropriate place to have a lit grill?
alongside a building, so you have access to indoor amenities
on wooden porches or decks
none of the above
The only suitable place for a grill is outdoors, away from buildings and structures such as decks and porches.

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What is the best technique to make sure charcoal ash is safe to dispose?
when it's cool to the touch
making sure it is thoroughly drenched with water
Even ash that is cool to the touch on the surface can have smoldering embers underneath. Water is the best method to make sure it is extinguished safely.
using a fire extinguisher

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Where is the safest place to dispose of charcoal ash?
a cardboard box
a plastic or rubber trash can
a metal trash can or bin
Since ash can potentially contain smoldering embers, it should be disposed on in a fireproof container.

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What is the major contributing factor to most barbecue blunders?
alcohol
Alcohol is the overwhelming factor in most "accidental" fires attributed to grilling or barbecues.
faulty grill and fuel lines
inadequate combustion

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On average, during a five-year period between 2005 and 2009, how many home fires were directly attributable to grilling?
roughly 1,000 annually
roughly 5,000 annually
more than 8,000 annually
In the years between 2005 and 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,200 home fires per year involving grills, hibachis or barbecues.

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During that same period -- between 2005 and 2009 -- how many structure fires were directly attributable to grilling annually?
almost 2,000
almost 3,500
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,400 structure fires per year involving barbecues.
almost 5,000

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How many outdoor fires were directly attributable to grilling annually between 2005 and 2009?
roughly 1,000
roughly 2,000
almost 5,000
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 4,800 structure fires per year involving barbecues.

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In 2009, how many people wound up in a hospital emergency room with burns and blisters suffered in grilling-related accidents?
nearly 5,000
nearly 10,000
nearly 18,000
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 18,000 people found themselves in an ER with burns and blisters from grilling-related accidents in 2009 alone.

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To be considered safe, red meats such as beef and veal should be cooked to what internal temperature?
at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius)
at least 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.7 degrees Celsius)
at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.7 degrees Celsius)
The USDA recommends cooking red meats such as beef, pork and veal to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.7 degrees Celsius).

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To be considered safe, poultry products such as chicken should be cooked to what internal temperature?
at least 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.7 degrees Celsius)
At least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius)
The USDA recommends cooking poultry products such as chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 Celsius).
at least 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius)

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What percentage of home fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio from 2005 to 2009?
less than 10 percent
almost 30 percent
According to the National Fire Protection Association, that number is 29 percent.
more than 50 percent

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What percentage of home fires involving grills started on an exterior balcony or open porch?
less than 10 percent
between 10 and 20 percent
roughly 28 percent
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 28 percent of home fires involving grills started on the porch or a balcony from 2005 to 2009.

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As a rule of thumb, how often should you replace the battery in your home smoke detectors?
every six months
once a year
Many experts recommend replacing batteries at least once a year, on an easy-to-remember date.
every two years

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Based on statistics, which of the following is the most dangerous form of grilling?
gas or propane grills
Statistics show that gas grills were involved in an annual average of 6,900 home fires between 2005 and 2009, while charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in an annual average of 1,100 home fires over the same period.
charcoal grills
wood-fired grills

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What should you do to limit the cancer risk of consuming grilled meats?
Remove fat from the meats before grilling.
Pre-cook meats in the microwave before grilling.
Remove charred portions of the meat before eating.
all of the above
According to the USDA, eating grilled meats that aren't charred poses little cancer risk. Removing fat and pre-cooking meats prevent charring.

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