Somerville Fire Department Summer Safety Reminder: Grills Not Allowed on Porches or Balconies

With summer in full swing, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Fire Chief Charles Breen are reminding community members to safely use and store grilling equipment to help prevent outdoor fires this summer. Most important, grills and smokers are not allowed on porches, balconies, fire escapes, or roofs. Remember to call 911 if you see uncontained flames or smoke. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas are also always prohibited in the City in all locations. 

“Somerville is a very densely populated city and a fire resulting from improper use of a barbeque grill could impact you and many of your neighbors,” said Chief Breen. “Complying with safety tips and regulations helps to keep us all safe.”  

Somerville has a lot of older housing, mostly constructed of wood-frame units built closely together. With the density of buildings in the city, outdoor fires can easily spread to homes and other properties. About two-thirds of grilling fires in Massachusetts occur between May and September, and outdoor cooking fires cause serious injuries and property damage every year across the state. 

“Grilling is a fun summer activity to share with family, friends, and neighbors, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Most grill fires are easily preventable with proper precautions,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “We can all take some simple, yet important steps this summer to help prevent fires in our community.” 

Safe Cooking 

• Charcoal, wood, electric, and propane grills are not allowed on porches, balconies, fire escapes, roofs, or decks with a roof, overhang, or wall. This includes grills, hibachis, barbecues, and smokers.  
• Grilling should only be done outdoors, at ground level, 10 feet from structures, and never under overhangs or branches.
• All cooking fires should be on a charcoal briquette grill or propane gas grill.
• Never leave a grill burning unattended. 
• Keep children and pets away from grills, matches or lighters, and lighter fluid. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders. 

Safe Storage and Cleanup 

• Always clean your grill after use to help prevent grease fires. Make sure it is cooled completely before storing.
• Propane tanks cannot be stored in or on residential buildings.
• Dispose of ashes from grills in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out. Never dump them outdoors or place them inside a building or in the trash, and never place them in a combustible container or paper bag. 

To report improper use of a grill or outdoor burning violations, call the Fire Department at 617-623-1500.  

For more grilling safety information, visit the Commonwealth’s Grilling Safety webpage at mass.gov/info-details/grilling-safety. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at somerviva@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.