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Attention, Backyard Barbecue Chefs: Put Safety First!

Summer time is chillin' time, and for many Americans that means grillin' time. However, when people put on their "World's Best Cook" aprons, they may forget to put on their thinking caps. The results can be painful. Outdoor grilling causes more than 600 accidental fires and explosions and costs consumers $5 million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

"A few simple precautions around the barbecue grill will protect not only the hamburgers and hot dogs, but the chef too," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). "Everyone loves backyard barbecuing, so we light up grills about 3 billion times a year. Unfortunately, though, our good times can be spoiled if we are not careful."

Put safety first when entertaining outdoors!

Drengenberg offers his top five tips for summer safety when good weather permits you to move the kitchen outdoors:

  • Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building;
  • Never leave the grill unattended, especially when young children or pets are nearby;
  • Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire;
  • Never attempt to restart a flame by adding additional lighting fluid to an already-lit grill, as this can cause a flare-up;
  • Dispose of charcoal away from kids and pets, and cool it down with a hose. Coals get HOT-up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit! When grilling use insulated, flame-retardant mitts or long-handled barbecue tongs and utensils.

Gas grill safety tips

As with charcoal grills, Drengenberg stresses that gas grill users should always follow the manufacturer's instructions that accompany the product. If the manual is misplaced, manufacturers will usually replace it at no charge.

Other tips include:

  • Check the grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no kinks in the hose or tubing;
  • Check the tubes leading into the burner for any blockages from insects, spiders, or grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear any obstruction and pass it through to the main part of the burners;
  • Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas, particularly when you reconnect the grill to the propane tank. Never use a match to check for leaks; instead, immediately turn off the gas, and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.

Finally, Drengenberg advises consumers to keep a fire extinguisher handy for the backyard barbecue, exactly as they do for the kitchen stove. Most importantly, everyone should know how to use it, based on the PASS method: Pull pin; Aim at base of fire; Squeeze handle; and Sweep from side to side.

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