Mass. Law Says You Can’t Grill On Most Decks – Did This Ruin Your 4th of July?

According the Mass. State fire folks, a ton of common deck setups are off limits for grill use and if you ignore this law, you could be in big trouble (in more ways than one).

Every summer, fire departments statewide respond to a bunch of calls due to grill fires, so the following is a list of the rules when it comes to outdoor grilling.

This is the big one everyone misses or ignores: You can never use a grill on a porch, balcony, or deck that has a roof, overhang, or walls around it (except for the structure's exterior wall). No covered decks, no screened porches, no second-story setups with a roof. It's amazing how often I see grills on second floor decks!

The only decks where grills are allowed to be used on are on open first floor porches or patios that are basically at ground level.

If your deck doesn’t meet that, you’ve gotta move the grill out to the yard, at least 10 feet from the side of the house and away from any overhanging branches or railings.

Other key rules to stay safe:

Always grill outdoors. Gas grills: Open the lid before lighting, turn everything off when done, and keep propane tanks outside and away from doors/windows.

Charcoal: Use only starter fluid, never indoors, and let ashes cool 48 hours (or soak them).

Keep kids and pets three feet away, and never leave a hot grill alone.

Bottom line: Check your setup now before the big cookouts start. Move that grill to a safe spot and you’ll avoid drama (and possible fines or worse).

Also, make sure to clean you grill - like underneath where the grease piles up - this is a big fire hazard. Make sure you're cooking those lean burgers so too much fat and grease doesn't drip down. Stay away from the 20% fat burgers! Lol.