As the weather warms up, people will start dusting off their outdoor grills – which means more incidents of grill-related fires and injuries. Recent studies show that outdoor grills cause nearly 9,000 home fires per year. To keep you and your family safe during the barbecuing season, consider these helpful tips as you light your grill for your next cookout.

1. Wear the right clothing. Be sure your shirt tails, sleeves and apron strings aren’t dangling over the grill – clothes easily catch fire!

2. Grill in an open area. Never grill in a garage, near vehicles or in confined spaces like a tent. Keep pets and children out of the area and grill away from overhanging tree branches.

3. Make sure your grill is stable. Set up your grill on a flat surface and make sure it can’t tip over.

4. Keep your grill clean. Keep your grill clean by removing grease and fat buildup from the grill and the trays below the grill.

5. If the flame goes out, wait to re-light. If you are using a gas grill and the flame goes out, turn the grill and the gas off, then wait at least five minutes to re-light it.

6. Be ready to put out the fire. Have a fire extinguisher and baking soda on hand to extinguish any out-of-control flames. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand close to your grill. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

7. Store your grill safely. After cooking, completely close the valve on the grill and store your grill – and propane tanks – outside and away from your house.

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