4th of July Grilling Safety Tips

The 4th of July is a great time to enjoy grilling and outdoor cookouts with family and friends. It is important that safety be your first consideration at all times to ensure that all your get-togethers are safe and enjoyable. See the important safety guidelines below.

• When in use, always keep outdoor grills away from the walls of buildings and from under low hanging tree branches.
• Never use outdoor grills inside a garage or other building.
• Position grills in an area that is level, such as a patio or lawn space, but never in an areas covered with a roof.
• Remember to open the lid to your gas grill to prevent a buildup of gas that can cause an explosion when igniting it the grill.
• If a grill is to be used on a wooden deck, place a large piece of fireproof protective material under the unit.
• Never add starter fluid to a charcoal grill with coals that are already hot. This can create a very dangerous situation.
• Outdoor grills should not be used during periods of high wind.
• An outdoor grill should never be left unattended; children and pets should always be kept away from the grilling area.
• Never use chemically treated wood, such as scraps of pressure treated lumber as fuel for a fire meant for grilling.
• A fire extinguisher or water source should be readily available.