Read This Before You Fire Up the Grill

This content is provided courtesy of USAA.

July falls during the peak time for grill fires, says the National Fire Prevention Association. To help keep your summer cookouts safe, the NFPA offers these tips:

• Place the grill — whether charcoal or gas — outdoors and away from the house, deck, overhead branches and anything else that might catch fire.
• Clean and remove any grease or fat buildup from the grill and the tray below.
• If the flame goes out on your propane grill while you're cooking, turn off the grill and the gas. Then, wait at least 15 minutes before you light it again to provide time for the propane to dissipate and avoid a gas explosion.