- Location is everything. Grills need to be kept away from houses, fences, trees and anything else with a propensity for burning. This includes all around the grill as well as above. A good idea is to stand in front of your grill and imagine the flare-up from hell. Will the house survive? Will everything else? If the answer is yes then, you have a good location.
- Be prepared to fight a fire. Having close access to water or a fire extinguisher is a very good idea. Remember that water can cause grease fires to literally explode so if you need to put out a grease fire you need to be a safe distance from it. If you go with a fire extinguisher, make sure you know how to use it. When you do need to use it you might not have time to read the instructions.
- Keep flammable materials far away from your grill. Do not store lighter fluids in close proximity to your grill. If a can of lighter fluid gets too hot it can explode. Also, never add lighter fluid or any flammable liquid to a burning fire.
- When lighting a gas grill use the 10 to 5 rule. If the grill does not start within 10 seconds, turn off the gas, leave the lid open and give it 5 minutes before you try again. Propane gas can develop into a large cloud quickly.
- Frequently check gas lines for leaks. Brushing soapy water over the hoses and connectors will show you any potential leaks. Make you go over every part of the gas line from the tank to the burner. If you find a leak you need to replace that part before you grill again.
- Make sure that the fire is out when you are done. With a gas grill turn of the control valves and the tank valve. Make sure that any burning grease is put out and let the grill cool completely before you cover it. On a charcoal grill replace the lid and close all vents. Let charcoal burn out and wait about 48 hours before disposing of ashes.
- Make sure that the person in charge of grilling has a clear head and is not distracted from his/her duties.
As always, remember that the greatest safety feature we humans have is common sense. Pay attention to what you are doing and if you have a bad feeling, run with it.
