Keep the flames on the grill this summer

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Joushua Blount

The Fourth of July is this weekend, meaning families around the nation are firing up their grills for backyard barbecues and family gatherings.

But Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue has some safety tips to ensure your perfectly charred food doesn’t lead to any household fires, said TFR Firefighter Hunter Ingram.

The biggest tip? Make sure your grill is clean and free of burnt food or residue.

“Keep the water hose close,” Ingram said. “It’s been raining a pretty good bit, so hopefully we won’t have to worry about any brush fires or anything like that, but I would recommend keeping a water hose close for sure.”

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the TFR’s busiest days of the year, Ingram said.

Some other grilling tips:

• Don’t grill on a balcony or wooden deck or under an awning. Instead, grill on a flat surface well away from your home.
• Use propane and charcoal grills outdoors only.
• Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill area.
• Never leave your grill unattended.