Grilling with a "Safety First" Attitude

It's easy to forget safety when the sizzle of summer fun is calling, but don't forget that a "safety first" attitude can keep your backyard barbecues memorable for all the right reasons.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 8,200 home fires each year result from unsafe grilling.  Five out of six home grill fires involved a gas grill and the leading contributing factor was a leak or break in hoses. Meanwhile, the leading factor in a charcoal grill fire was something catching on fire because it was too close to the grill.

"Nothing interrupts summer fun like an unexpected visit from the fire department," says John Drengenberg, consumer safety director for UL, a global safety science company. "That's why it's important that we all have a "safety first' attitude whenever we fire up that grill."

Remember to follow these simple, yet crucial guidelines to help keep you and your family safe this summer:

Prepare for Safety First:

• Use the grill a safe distance from your house or any building
• Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire
• Never start a gas grill with the lid closed
• Check your gas grill for leaks
• Drip soapy water over and around the fittings and look for bubbles forming as propane escapes
• Be sure all the hose connections are tight
• Have a spray bottle and a fire extinguisher nearby

Safety While Cooking:

• Never add lighter fluid to an already-lit grill, as this can cause a flare-up
• Use insulated, flame-retardant mitts and long-handled barbecue tongs and utensils to handle food and coals
• Never leave the grill unattended, especially when young children or pets are nearby
• Cool charcoal by letting it burn out in the grill or dousing it thoroughly with a garden hose before disposing of it. Coals
  get hot - in some cases up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit

For more Summer Safety information, go to SafetyAtHome.com