With the weather heating up, and a big holiday on the horizon, the Hearth Patio Grill Association  ( www.hpga.org ) has these 13  simple rules to maximize your safety when using a grill:

Read the owner’s manual.  Always read the owner’s manual before using your grill and follow specific usage, assembly, and safety procedures. Contact the grill manufacturer if you have specific questions. (Be sure to locate your model number and the manufacturer’s consumer inquiry phone number and write them on the front page of your manual.)

Grills are for outside, only.  Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use, only. Never barbecue in your trailer, tent, house, garage, or any enclosed area because carbon monoxide may accumulate and kill you.

Use in well-ventilated area.  Set up your grill in an open area that is away from buildings, overhead combustible surfaces, dry leaves, or brush. Be sure to avoid high traffic areas and always barbecue in a well-ventilated area. Be aware of wind-blown sparks.

Keep grill stable.  When using a barbecue grill, be sure that all parts of the unit are firmly in place and that the grill is stable (can’t be tipped over).

Follow electric codes.  If electrically-operated accessories are used (rotisseries, etc.), be sure they are properly grounded in accordance with local codes. Electrical cords should be placed away from walkways or anywhere people can trip over them.

Use long-handled utensils.  Use barbecue utensils with long handles (forks, tongs, etc.) to avoid burns and splatters.

Wear safe clothing.  Wear clothing that does not have hanging shirt tails, frills, or apron strings that can catch fire, and use flame-retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents.

Keep fire under control.  To put out flare-ups, either raise the grid that the food is on, spread the coals out evenly, or adjust the controls to lower the temperature. If you must douse the flames with a light spritz of water, first remove the food from the grill.

Be ready to extinguish flames.  Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher handy. A bucket of sand or a garden hose should be near if you don’t have a commercial extinguisher.

Consider placing a grill pad or splatter mat beneath your grill.  These naturally heat resistant pads are usually made of lightweight composite cement or plastic and will protect your deck or patio from any grease that misses the drip pan.

Never leave a grill unattended once lit.

Stay away from hot grill.  Don’t allow anyone to conduct activity near the grill when in use or immediately following its use. The grill body remains hot up to an hour after being used.

Don’t move a hot grill.  Never attempt to move a hot grill. It’s easy to stumble or drop it and serious burns could result.

As soon as winter passes, you can look forward to doing some outdoor chores.  Make sure to get these tasks done before the heat of summer is bearing down on you:

•  Sharpen lawn mower blades – Not only do lawns cut with sharp blades need less watering, but hard work is made easier with sharp tools.  Always disconnect the spark plug wire before removing the blade and wear safety goggles.
• Clean the gutters – Remove the debris from the gutters to allow them to carry rainwater away.  This will help protect the home from mold and rot. When clean, run water through to make certain that it is flowing away from the house.  Also, while you are up there, lok for leaks or loose connections.
• Inspect the roof – Look for curling, broken or missing shingles.  To look for sagging, stand across the street and look at the roof line.  Make sure to inspect around the flashing. Don’t forget to inspect the attic ceiling for leaks, discoloration and stains.  Get repairs done promptly to reduce expensive rot and decay.
• Check the foundation – Walk around the house and make sure dirt slopes away, so water cannot collect.  Rake leaves away from the foundation to make it less inviting for mice and rats.
• Scrub decks & porches – Cleaning them gives you the perfect chance to inspect for rot and damage. Wood needs to be painted or stained every few years or more if they face extreme weather.