Use Your Gas Grill Safely this Summer

Grilling season is here! Outdoor cooks are encouraged to follow these important safety tips while using their natural gas grills:

• Before using your grill, clean the grill and perform a routine safety check. Check fuel line hoses for holes, cracks, brittleness, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing. Regularly inspect your gas grill throughout the summer months, as insects and other animals can cause damage.
• At the first sign of any problem, turn off your control valves, turn off the fuel tank, and disconnect everything. If you smell gas or detect a leak from your grill, immediately turn off the gas and call a qualified technician to check the equipment. Do not attempt to light the grill until the leak is repaired.
• A natural gas burner flame should be primarily blue with a small yellow tip. If the flame does not have that appearance, have your grill checked by a qualified technician.
• Each year, grills and smokers cause thousands of fires and millions of dollars in damage. Keep a fire extinguisher near your grill. Know how to cut off the fuel supply, extinguish fires, and contact the fire department if necessary. Do not use a grill inside or in a garage, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire. Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house or any structure and it is set up on a flat, sturdy surface. Keep combustible materials such as paper products, linens, and clothing away from burners.
• Never leave your grill unattended while in use. Keep children and pets away from the grill area when it is in use.
• After you are done cooking, make sure all burners are turned off, as well as the valve on the natural gas supply.