Propane grilling safety reminders

May is National Barbecue Month – a great time to get out of the house (any excuse for that these days, right?) and cooking on your propane grill.

Just be sure to do it safely: each year thousands of preventable injuries happen in backyards throughout the North Shore and across the country as people grill with a little less care and attention than they ought to.

To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, here are some propane grill safety reminders:

1. Clean your propane grill after each use – leftover grease the #1 cause of grill fires.
2. Never grill indoors! Not only is it a fire hazard, but it’s also a dangerous way to release odorless but deadly carbon monoxide into your home. Keep your grill at least five feet away from the house, trees, or other objects, on a level surface.
3. Check all hoses for damage before igniting the grill for the first time of the season. To check the gas tank hose for leaks, apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.
4. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of flare-up.
5. Never leave a propane grill unattended.
6. Use barbecue utensils with long handles to avoid burns.
7. Keep your propane grill cover open until you’re sure the grill is lit.
8. Close both your burner and cylinder valves when you’re finished cooking.
9. Always store propane cylinders outdoors in their vertical position.
10. When transporting your tank in your vehicle, put it in a secure, well-ventilated location. Place it upright with the valve off, and take it directly to the refilling location. Don’t leave it in the vehicle unattended!

Did you know you can fill your propane cylinders at the Holden Filling Station in Peabody, MA? Stop by 91 Lynnfield St. today to get a new propane tank, refill your current one, fill up your camper or RV propane tank or get grilling supplies.