Marilyn Gillis writes this column in collaboration with Sun City’s Neighborhood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors Committee.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short time, turn off the stove.
If you are simmering, roasting, or broiling food, check it regularly. Remain in your home while food is cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
Keep pets off countertops to prevent them from knocking things into the burner.
Keep anything flammable away from your stove or your grill, such as: pot holders, oven mitts, towels, plastic or paper items.
Never wear loose clothing while cooking or grilling, especially hanging sleeves.
When grilling, use only long-handled cooking tools.
Position your grill away from siding, deck railings, out from under eaves or hanging branches, and away from foot traffic and play areas.
Remove grease or fat from the grills and from the drip trays below the grill on a regular basis, as they could ignite when the grill is hot.
On charcoal grills, use only charcoal starter fluid, a charcoal chimney starter, or an electric charcoal starter to start your fire. Do not add starter fluid or kindling after the coals have been ignited. Use only an outdoor extension cord if you use an electric starter. Keep charcoal starter fluid away from any heat source.
Check the hose on your propane grill for leaks at the beginning of grilling season using a solution of soapy water. The hose will release bubbles if it is leaking. If it is leaking, do not use the grill. Turn it off immediately and have it professionally serviced. If it will not turn off, call the fire department.
If you smell gas while cooking on a propane grill, get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store your gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
Enjoy your summer cook-outs and stay safe.
