Grill On: Safety Tips for Outdoor Grilling

Labor Day weekend signifies the unofficial end of summer, the closing of swimming pools, and the start of the NFL and college football seasons. For a lot of people this weekend also means partaking in an outdoor culinary ritual known as grilling.Americans enjoy more than three billion barbecues each year. But barbecuing can be dangerous, even deadly, if you are not careful.  Nothing spoils a picnic or cookout faster than a fire, so before you throw the brats, burgers, and dogs on the grill, read these safety tips:

• When ready to barbecue, protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm.

• With gas grills, make sure the gas cylinder is always stored outside and away from your house. Make sure the valves are turned off when you are not using them. Check regularly for leaks in the connections using a soap and water mix that will show bubbles where gas escapes.

• Barbecue grills should be kept on a level surface away from the house, garage, landscaping, and most of all, children.

• For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for those grills. Never use gasoline and use a limited amount of starter fluid. If the fire is too slow, rekindle with dry kindling and add more charcoal if necessary. Never add more liquid fuel or you could end up with a flash fire.

• Be sure to soak the coals with water before you put them in the trash. Always remember that grills remain hot long after you are through barbecuing. 

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