​With Labor Day cookouts approaching, the Division of the Fire Marshal, Office of Research Services, would like to share a few tips that will make using your barbecue grill a fire-safe and enjoyable experience.

More than 200,000 barbecue grills are purchased by Americans every year and, on most nice summer days, some four million barbecue grills are in use in the United States. Because they are easy to use, homeowners sometimes take these appliances for granted. Many times, grills are not inspected, maintained, used and/or stored in a safe and appropriate fashion. Barbecue grills are quick to light, easy to control, fast and practical. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and with various accessories; however, they all have two things in common - they must be used in a safe manner and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The following are some common manufacturer's recommendations. Consult your individual manufacturer's owners manual for specific details.

* When assembling a new propane barbecue unit, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Leak test all the fittings that run from the propane tank to the barbecue grill. Gas leaks will lead to severe fires.

* Store, transport and use propane cylinders only in the upright, vertical position. When transporting a cylinder in a vehicle, secure it in an upright position, making certain it will not tip over, and leave your trunk or vehicle windows open for ventilation.

* Check the tank collar for the date of manufacture or the latest inspection. All propane tanks must be inspected and re-certified every 10 years.

* When lighting a gas barbecue grill without a built-in 'igniter,' have the match or lighter already burning and the lid of the grill open before you light the barbecue.

* Be cautious of wearing loose clothing while lighting or using the grill. Loose clothing can be easily ignited and cause serious injuries and burns.

* Do not leave the grill unattended or move the grill until the fire has completely burned out and the grill is cool. For propane grills, turn off both the barbecue gas control valve(s) and the propane cylinder valve.

* Do not use barbecues indoors! If used indoors, toxic carbon monoxide fumes can accumulate and cause bodily injury or death.

* Position the grill at least 10 feet away from any combustible material including buildings, wooden decks, furniture, vinyl siding, plants, and overhead combustible construction such as overhangs to the house, combustible canopies, gazebos and wooden decks. Hot gases and/or coals from the grill can ignite combustible materials.

* Position the grill so the wind cannot carry ashes to combustible surfaces.

* All barbecues should be constantly attended by a competent person until the fire has been extinguished. The fire attendant should be equipped with a charged garden hose or fire extinguisher. Fires are easily extinguished in the early stages of fire development. Readily available fire extinguishment equipment can help prevent a major fire from occurring.

* Thoroughly clean your barbecue grill on a regular basis. Aside from the health issues, a barbecue grill full of greasy buildup can create an unwanted flare up.

If you have any fire safety questions regarding the use of barbecue grills on the NIH Bethesda campus or at home, please contact the Division of the Fire Marshal, Office of Research Services at 301-496-0487.