Father's Day Grilling Safety

Although preparing and using an outdoor grill for cooking is not a complicated process, the most important aspect to be mindful of at all times is safety. Outdoor grills are safe and reliable, however, they may pose a danger when care is not taken during their use. The following safety tips should always be considered when using an outdoor grill.

• When in use, always keep outdoor grills away from the walls of buildings and low hanging tree branches. Never use them inside a garage or other outdoor building.
• Grills should be positioned in an area that is level, such as a patio or designated lawn space, as long as it isn't covered with a roof.
• If being used on a wooden deck, a large piece of metal or a fireproof patio/deck protector should be placed under the grill. If the deck is attached to a building, position the grill as far away from the walls of the building as possible. Wood burning rings with a cooking grate placed on it should never be used on a deck.
• When using a charcoal grill, never add starter fluid to coals that are already hot. This can create a very dangerous situation.
• Gas grills equipped with automatic ignition should not be lit when the hood is closed. Gas build up can occur within the confines of the closed hood prior to igniting the burners may cause an explosion when lit.
• Outdoor grills should not be used during periods of high wind.
• An outdoor grill should never be left unattended and children and pets should always be kept away from the grilling area.
• Never use chemically treated wood, such as scraps of pressure treated lumber left over from an exterior building project, as fuel for a fire meant for grilling.
• A fire extinguisher or water source should be readily available.