Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer reminds us to grill safely

It's been a long and wet northwest Oregon winter and Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner. For many this will kick off the unofficial start of the summer. As people roll out their barbecue grills and get ready for a summer of cooking outside we thought we would take a few minutes to offer some safety advice for the outdoor chef in your house.

• Always grill outdoors. This seems silly to most of us, especially after being cooped up in our homes all winter, but people still try and bring a small barbecue indoors from time to time. Not only is this a fire hazard but it can also fill your home with poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
  


• Keep the grill well away from the home, this includes siding, deck railings, and from under the eaves.
  


• Clean your grill regularly to remove excess grease build up from all parts of your grill.
  


• Create a safe zone of at least three feet around your grill where the kids can't play and keep the little ones, including your pets, away from your grill whenever it's in use. Always put the matches and lighter fluid away when you are done and keep these in a place where curious kids cannot get to them.
  


• If you are a fan of charcoal grills use only a small amount of charcoal starter fluid (never use gasoline or another flammable liquid to start your coals) and never add charcoal starter fluid after the fire has been lit.
  


• Do you have a propane grill? Check the condition of the propane hoses and connections before using your grill. Put a little bit of soapy water over these hoses and if you see where bubbles are being formed it means that you likely have a leak and need to make repairs before using your grill. Any cracked hoses or damaged connections need to be repaired as well before you cook.
  


• Have a fire extinguisher handy if you use propane and a garden hose if you use charcoal or wood. Never leave the grill unattended and keep an eye around the area after you are done cooking to make sure no rogue embers made their way into the dry grass or landscaping around your home.

By following these simple steps you can have a safe summer cooking under the hopefully clear but sometimes cloudy, northwest Oregon summer sky.