10 Safety Tips For a Holiday Barbeque

With the arrival of Memorial Day, which officially kicks off the summer barbeque season, local firefighter organizations are offering tips on safety and proper grill use so that the holiday doesn’t become one of injury or fire.

Here are 10 safety tips to help you and your family enjoy the holiday:

1. Establish a three-foot kid-free zone around any grill area
2. The day before a barbeque do a grill check to make sure it’s in good working order and that the cooking site is flat and not near the house, a shed, fence or any overhanging branches.
3. Don’t put the grill up against siding or deck railing.
4. If rain hits, don’t be tempted to ‘tent’ a barbeque to stay drive.
5. Never leave a barbeque unattended.
6. Once you light a barbeque keep all lighters, matches and any lighting fluid out of reach from children.
7. If you’re cooking the old fashion way, with briquettes, don’t overload the grill with charcoal. Always keep charcoal in a metal container with a tight lid.
8. With the gas grills, always check the gas cylinder or pipe for leaks:  one way to do this is to brush soapy water around joints and look for bubbles.
9. Always open the gas grill lid before lighting.
10. Don’t ever store gas cylinders in a confined space, indoors or in basements.