Practice safe grilling during backyard barbecues

Millions of Americans will take to their backyards and patios this summer for dinners, lunches and parties. During the grilling season, 57 percent say they cook on their outdoor grills "a couple times a week," with an additional 25 percent grilling "a few times a month," according to the results of a new survey from the Propane Education and Research Council.

But more people throwing steaks, burgers and hot dogs on the grill means the need to know how to grill safely is more important than ever. In fact, 52 percent of women and 31 percent of men say they only know a little bit about grill safety or nothing at all. That's a lot of people bellying up to their outdoor gas or propane grills without being properly pre

pared.

The

experts at PERC are serving up some basic grilling safety tips as the mercury rises this season:

+ When lighting a grill, keep the top open.

+ Before connecting the cylinder to a propane gas grill burner for the first time, use a leak-detection solution (a 50/50 mixture of water and liquid soap) to check connections for tightness.

+ Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.

+ Do not allow children to tamper with a propane cylinder or grill.

+ Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.

+ When a grill is not in use, cover disconnected hoseend fittings with plastic bags or protective caps to keep clean.

+ Always follow the grill manufacturer's instructions and keep written materials accessible.

+ Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on a propane or gas grill.

+ When finished grilling, turn off the burner controls and close the cylinder valve.

Here's some helpful advice for proper cylinder handling for a grill:

+ When the cylinder is refilled, have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust or leaks.

+ After filling or exchanging a cylinder, take it home immediately. Keep the vehicle ventilated and the cylinder valve closed and capped.

+ Always use or store cylinders outdoors in an upright (vertical) position.

+ Do not use, store or transport cylinders near high temperatures- this includes storing spare cylinders near the grill.

This story is provided by State Point Media.