Outdoorgrill Saftey Tips

Spring has sprung and it's time to pull out the grill again. Before you lite your outdoorgrill, here are a couple of things to remember. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that about 5,000 people each year get injured from propane, wood or charcoal grill fires. Ten people a year die from grilling fires. Annually, there are about 8,000 house fires with about 3,000 of those causing structural damages well over $25 million dollars. One of the biggest sources of accidents is from turkey frying.

So, with all that being said, here are a few grilling safety tips to keep in your mind:

1) Propane grills: Before turning them on, check for leaks in your gas tank hose. Put a mild soapy water coat on the hose and see if any air bubbles form. Also, if you smell gas and the grill won't light, there's got to be a part problem somewhere. Find the defective part and replace it.

2) Charcoal grills: ONLY use charcoal starter fluid to light your fire. Other fuels may be too combustible posing a great hazard for everyone around. Keep the starter fluid container far away from the grill. Also, don't allow children, pets or anyone else who may pose a threat to be near the grilling area. These may include intoxicated people and the elderly. It's best that the chef be the only one near the grill. Finally, always make sure the used cooking coals are cool before dumping them. You may want to water them down.

3) For everyone: Keep your grill clean between uses. Only grill outdoors and away from housing structures. Finally, never leave your outdoorgrill unattended.

Much of this may sound like a big hassle but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Have a great time grilling this year!