5 tips for safe barbecuing

Before you grill your hotdogs and hamburgers this summer, make sure you're doing it safely.

Warm weather means more people pulling out their barbecues. But Hamilton Emergency Services is warning people to cook safely.

Here are five things to consider before you fire up the grill.

1. Keep the barbecue away from combustible materials. That includes deck railings, patio furniture, overhead patios and fences. And don't barbecue in your garage.
2. Keep children and pets away from your grill, and never leave it unattended.
3. Keep the grill clean. If a grease fire ignites, don't put water on it. That will only make it worse. Shut off the fuel source and let the fire burn itself out. If the fire expands beyond the grill, call 911.
4. Use only approved starter fluid on charcoal barbecues, and never add starter fluid to a lit fire. Also, don't dispose of the coals until they have completely cooled.
5. If you're barbecuing in your backyard, keep a clear space around the grill free of any combustible material. This includes plants. If you're using a “smoker” or any other appliance that uses wood chips as a fuel source, make sure burning embers don't blow away. Keep a garden hose or pail of water nearby to extinguish the fire.

For more on barbecue or cooking safety, visit hamilton.ca/fire.