To make sure your next barbecue does not go up in flames, follow these safety tips:

• Designate the grilling area a No Play Zone, keeping kids and pets well away until grill equipment is completely cool. photo of a backyard grill
• Before using, position your grill at least 3 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
• Only use starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill.
• Never bring a barbecue grill indoors, or into any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.
• Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking.
• Check grill hoses for cracks, brittleness and holes. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the tubing.
• Never use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.
• Always keep propane gas containers upright.
• Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.