Probably one of the first things people tend to get in the spirit of when the weather turns nice is migrating outdoors to fire up the grill that has been sitting idle during the cold months. With this in mind, we would like to offer the following safety tips for both gas grills and charcoal grills and hibachis.

Gas Grill Safety Tips:

Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year many people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these fires and explosions occur when people first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill's gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, you should routinely perform the following safety checks:

• Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.
• Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
• Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can't move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
• Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.
• Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
• Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from a leaking grill.
• Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 25 feet away from your house or any building (Prince George's County Fire Code). Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.
• Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions that accompany the grill.
• You should use caution when storing LP gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
• To avoid accidents while transporting LP gas containers, you should transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.
• You should use extreme caution and always follow manufacturer's instructions when connecting or disconnecting LP gas containers.

Grills manufactured after October 1, 1995, are required to have three additional safety features to eliminate leak hazards: a device to limit the flow of gas in the event of hose rupture; a mechanism to shut-off the grill; and a feature to prevent the flow of gas if the connection between the tank and the grill is not leak proof. You should consider purchasing grills that have these safety features.

Charcoal Grill Safety Tips:

Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year many people die and 100's are injured as a result of CO fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis used inside. To reduce these CO poisonings, the Riverdale Fire Department is offering the following safety tips:

• Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
• Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Grilling Safety Tips:

• Never leave the grill unattended, especially when small children are present. Temperatures in grills can reach and exceed 500 degrees.
• Never attempt to "restart" the flame by adding additional lighting fluid to an already lit grill.
• Keep a spray bottle of water nearby to handle flare-ups while grilling.
• Wait until the coals have completely cooled (may take a few hours) before disposing of them.
• Be cautious of overhead obstructions, including tree branches, while grilling.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy when grilling and know how to properly use it. (PASS - Pull pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze Handle, Sweep from side to side)