Avoid accidental fires
Grilling can be a great way to cook healthy food. But when you fire up the grill, be careful not to set anything else ablaze. Follow these tips:
- Keep the grill well away from house siding, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches. Don’t leave a hot grill unattended.
- For gas grills: Open the lid before lighting.
- For charcoal grills: Use a charcoal chimney starter or charcoal starter fluid to get things going. Never use other flammable liquids. When you’re done, let the coals cool fully. Then put them in a metal can with a lid.
- Clean your grill after every use. Greasy buildup could cause a fire.
For firepits, never ignite anything that isn’t firewood – for instance, garbage, stained wood, plastics, or construction or yard waste. They release toxic chemicals. If you need a starter, use newspaper, dry kindling or an all-natural fire starter.