According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 8,800 home fires occur annually from outdoor grilling. Follow these safety tips to ensure no harm comes to you, your family, or your property:
• Clean your propane grill regularly. Leftover grease causes about 1 in 5 grill fires!
• Perform the soapy water test. Spray all your hoses and connections with soapy water. If you see the soapy water bubbling, that means you have a gas leak there. You should either tighten that connection or replace it.
• To avoid an explosion, keep the lid open before you light the grill and light it right away. Don't wait and let it build up gas. Also, don't lean over the top! You could burn your face.
• If you keep hitting the igniter switch and your grill doesn't light right away, don't keep hitting it. Shut off the gas completely and wait 3-5 minutes before trying to light it again. If gas has built up, that'll give it time to dissipate.
• Keep your grill at least three feet away from your house or trees. That way if there is a fire, it doesn't spread.
• Use long-handled barbecue utensils to avoid burns.
• Turn off both the burner control and the cylinder valve when you finish cooking.
