Fire Department offers barbeque safety tips

  • Published
  • By Ali Veysel Ozyesil
  • 39th Civil Engineer Squadron
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Summer months can be hot and sometimes the heat is too much to handle. Although you can't control the climate, you can contain the fire on your grill. Here are some useful hints for staying safe around barbeques and open flames. 

Safety tips 

· Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
· Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
· Keep children and pets away from the grill area; declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
· Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
· Periodically remove grease buildup in trays below the grill so it can't be ignited by a hot grill. 

Charcoal grills 

· If you have a charcoal grill, purchase the proper starter fluid and store the can out of reach of children, and away from heat sources.
· Never add charcoal starter fluid when charcoal has already been ignited and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going. 

Propane grills 

· If you have a propane grill, check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it. Light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.
· If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test and there is no flame:
o Turn off the propane tank and grill.
o If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
o If the leak does not stop, call the Incirlik Fire Department at 911.
· If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
· Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
· Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside. 

Propane and charcoal barbeque grills are only to be used outdoors 10 feet away from the structure. Call the Incirlik Fire Department at 676-6948 for additional information.