Warm weather and grilling go hand in hand. A weekend barbecue is a great opportunity to gather with family and friends, enjoy the beautiful weather, and savor both new and long-fancied barbecue recipes.

But as fun and delicious as summertime grilling can be, it’s not without its risks. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that grills, smokers, and hibachis cause an average of 8,300 fires each year, many of which can be prevented with a few simple – but important – safety measures.

• Thoroughly inspect your grill before firing it up for the season and check it periodicallyr. Check for rust on propane tanks, loose or corroded hoses and couplings, and damaged vents and grates.
• Position your grill on a flat, stable surface at least 10 feet away from any buildings, deck railings, overhangs or low-lying branches.

• Clean your grill often, removing any fat or grease residue from grates and catch trays.

• Do not pour any flammable liquids onto a lit grill to avoid flare ups. And only use lighter fluid to light a charcoal grill.

• Don’t wear loose, flowy clothing while cooking, and use long-handled grilling tools and heat resistant oven mitts to avoid getting burned.

• Place ashes, charcoal, and briquettes in a metal container and douse them with plenty of water, then cover that with a lid. Wait at least a few days before disposing of them permanently.

• Never leave a burning grill unattended and keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case.

• In case of a large flare up or fire, close the lid immediately. For a gas grill, turn off the gas and propane tank if you can do so safely. If the fire cannot be easily extinguished, call 911 immediately from a safe distance.

At Now Security Systems, we’re all about helping you enjoy the best of times without fearing the worst of times. With that in mind, contact us if your home security system isn’t up to par, or if you haven’t yet acquired one.