37% of Americans Admit to Barbecuing Drunk -- And They're 4 Times More Likely to Get Hurt

Rhea-AI Summary

The recent survey by ValuePenguin reveals that 71% of Americans plan to host or attend barbecues this summer, coinciding with rising COVID-19 vaccinations. Alarmingly, 13% of grill owners have experienced grilling-related accidents, with Gen Z showing the highest risk at 19%. Additionally, 37% of those who grill admit to doing so while intoxicated, increasing the likelihood of injury fourfold. Food safety concerns persist, as one in five Americans believes they’ve suffered food poisoning from barbecues. Most grillers neglect safety measures, with 66% uncertain about insurance coverage for grilling-related incidents.

Positive

• 71% of Americans plan to host or attend a barbecue, indicating strong consumer engagement.
• Majority of standard home and renters insurance policies cover grilling-related fire damages.

Negative

• 13% of grill owners have faced grilling-related accidents, raising safety concerns.
• 37% of grillers grill while drunk, significantly increasing the chance of injuries.
• 66% of Americans are unsure about their insurance coverage regarding grilling-related accidents.

NEW YORK, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the number of Americans vaccinated against COVID-19 increases and the weather warms, 71% of Americans plan to attend or host a barbecue according to a new survey from LendingTree research site ValuePenguin.com. The survey also found that Americans aren't doing enough to avoid grilling related hazards and injuries, but the more than 10,000 grilling-related injuries reported every year underscore the importance of grill safety.

Key Findings:

• It's the summer of barbecues as more Americans are vaccinated against COVID-19. 71% of Americans plan to attend or host a summer barbecue. And 80% of Americans either own a grill or use a community grill. With this sort of prevalence, it's natural that grilling injuries commonly occur.
• Gen Z, Men are more likely to suffer from Grilling related injuries. 13% of Americans who own or have access to a grill have reportedly experienced a grilling-related accident. Gen Zers (ages 18 to 24) are the most likely to have had a grilling-related accident, at 19%. Men are 55% more likely than women to have experienced a grilling-related accident
• Grilling while drunk is fairly common, and those who do so are 4X more likely to get hurt. 37% of grillers say they have fired up the barbecue while drunk, and those who have are four times as likely to have been in a grilling-related accident. Millennial (age 25 to 40) and Gen X (age 41 to 55) Americans are most likely to grill while drunk.
• Food safety hazards abound at barbecues. 22% of Americans believe they've contracted food poisoning at a barbecue. Nearly one in three millennials and 29% of Gen Zers recall getting sick from a barbecue — the most affected age groups.
• Americans aren't cooking their meat properly. Two in three grillers don't use a meat thermometer to verify that their meat is safe to eat or serve. 6 in 10 grillers do not cut the meat open to verify if it's cooked sufficiently.
• Barbecuers also aren't keeping their Grills clean — especially those who share it with others. 47% of Americans admit they don't clean the grill after every use, which is recommended. That jumps to 59% among those who use a shared community grill, compared with 44% who have their own.

According to Andrew Hurst, Insurance Data Analyst at ValuePenguin.com, most Americans worry about the financial liabilities associated with Grilling. He said,"66% of the Americans we surveyed said they weren't sure how their home or renters insurance treats grilling-related accidents. Fortunately, most standard home and renters insurance policies provide coverage against fire damages, as long as you maintain and service your grill." He adds, "It's also possible to be the target of a lawsuit if a guest at a barbecue you are hosting is injured and they decided to press charges. The liability portion of your homeowners insurance provides some financial protection by covering the costs of a lawsuit — but you can consider an umbrella policy that offers higher amounts of liability coverage if you want extra financial protection."

To view the full report, visit: https://www.valuepenguin.com/grilling-mistakes-and-injuries 

ValuePenguin.com commissioned Qualtrics to conduct an online survey of 2,050 U.S. consumers from May 3-6, 2021. The survey was administered using a non-probability-based sample, and quotas were used to ensure the sample base represented the overall population. All responses were reviewed by researchers for quality control.

About ValuePenguin.com:. ValuePenguin.com and its parent company, LendingTree® (NASDAQ: TREE), have a common mission: to empower consumers with tools, information, and resources to help them make smarter, more informed financial decisions. For more information, please visit www.valuepenguin.com, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @ValuePenguin.

Media Contact:
Divya Sangam (Ms.)
646 693 8445
Divya@lendingtreenews.com

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SOURCE ValuePenguin.com

FAQ

What percentage of Americans plan to host or attend barbecues this summer?

71% of Americans plan to host or attend barbecues this summer.

What are the main safety concerns associated with barbecuing?

Main concerns include a high incidence of grilling-related accidents, particularly among Gen Z, and food safety issues such as food poisoning.

How many grill owners have experienced grilling-related accidents?

13% of grill owners have reported experiencing grilling-related accidents.

What is the impact of alcohol consumption on grilling safety?

Grillers who consume alcohol are four times more likely to experience grilling-related accidents.

Are Americans aware of their insurance coverage for grilling accidents?

66% of Americans are unsure about how their home or renters insurance covers grilling-related accidents.