Now that summer is in full effect, people are dusting off their outdoor grill and enjoying the warm weather. But as the weather heats up, and people start using their grills more frequently, grill fires become more and more common. Here are some tips to remember when grilling in order to keep your home and family safe.

Kids and Your Grill

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that “Children under five account for an average of 2,000 or 39%, of the contact-type burns per year.”  This troubling statistic comes from the negligence of allowing kids near hot surfaces when grilling. This can be avoided by setting boundaries with your children — explaining to them that they cannot go near the grill, because they could get seriously injured. Creating physical barriers can also help, such as use of a baby gate or outdoor furniture to create a perimeter around the grill. Make sure any items you use are non-flammable and far away from your grill. Always try to keep children or pets at least 3 feet away from the grill.

Set Your Grill Up Right

It is imperative that you have your grill set up properly. This means that you must consider the following when preparing your grill for use:

• Gas or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors.
• Make sure the grill is clean. Remove any grease or fat buildup within the grill.
• Make sure the grill is on a flat surface and cannot be knocked over.
• Make sure that there are no hanging branches, leaves, or deck railings near the grill.

Always Be Prepared

When grilling, you should prepare for the worst-case scenario. You should have the following ready in case of emergencies:

• Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand ready to put out the fire.
• If you are cooking with oil, its best to use baking soda to put out the grease fire.
• Wear the right clothing, do not grill with any baggy sleeves or strings that could catch fire when working over your grill. 

Additional Tips

• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Wait to re-light 5 minutes after the flame goes out
• Check for propane leaks on a gas grills using hot soapy water

Know what to do if a fire does occur