The temperatures are up, everyone’s restless from quarantine and grill masters are itching to flip some burgers. That’s right—it’s time for National Grilling Month, the perfect time to stretch out on the lounge chair as the smell of barbeque drifts across the backyard. But the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges grillers to follow some safe grilling guidelines, pointing out that grilling fires also peak in July.According to the NFPA, 19,700 patients ended up in the ER from 2014–2018 with grill-related injuries, and children under five accounted for 39% of contact-type burns each year alone. Ensure that your backyard barbeques are happy get-togethers this summer with our safe grilling tips:

Grill Safety Tips

• Only use propane and charcoal BBQ grills outdoors.
• Clean the grill regularly by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and trays.
• Place the grill away from the home, deck railings, eaves and trees.
• Always keep pets and children at least three feet away from the grill.
• Keep lighter fluids out of reach of children and away from any source of heat.
• Never leave the grill unattended when in use.
• Before lighting a gas grill, make sure the lid is open.
• Check gas grill tank hose for leaks before use.
• Never add charcoal or lighter fluid to an active fire.

Following these steps will help you, your family, guests and pets stay safe from harm (and hopefully well-fed) during the peak grilling months.