Grilling Safety Tips

Tip 1: Protect your home and family

You should barbecue at least 10 feet away from your house or any structure. Children and pets should stay at least 3 feet away from the grilling area.

Tip 2: Clean your grill regularly

If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.

Tip 3: Check for gas leaks

You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have any holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

Tip 4: Keep decorations away from your grill

Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas look pretty AND provide fuel for a fire. To make matters worse, today's decor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.

Tip 5: Keep a spray bottle of water handy

That way, if you have a minor flare‐up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

Tip 6: Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill.

And KNOW HOW TO USE IT. If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don't waste time fiddling with it before calling 911. Many fire deaths occur when people try to fight a fire themselves instead of calling for expert help and letting the fire department do its job.