Thursday, May 22, 2008 --- 8:15 a.m.

In Wisconsin, grilling is sometimes a year-round activity. But as summer approaches, count on more grilling, more often. Whether you use charcoal, wood, gas or electricity for grilling, it takes only a moment of inattention for fire damage or injury to occur.

The City of Madison Fire Department offers these tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Make sure someone tends the fire at all times.
• Keep grills away (at least 10 feet) from combustibles, including the outside of your house, balcony or garage.
• Check hose integrity and hose connections to make sure gas is not leaking from your gas grill. Apply soapy water to hoses and connections to reveal any leaks.
• 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.
• Enforce a “kid-free zone” of 36” around the grill. Also keep your pets from underfoot.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
• Keep the grill clean.
• Always keep a water source nearby to douse flames and keep fire from getting out of control.
• Remember that used coals and ashes can stay hot enough to start a fire for 24 hours after you’ve stopped grilled. Dispose of used coals and ashes in a non-combustible container.

Did you know?
o Gas grills have a higher fire risk than charcoal grills; leaks and breaks are the leading cause, accounting for nearly half of gas grill fires.
o Gas-fueled grills caused an estimated 600 home structure fires and 3,200 home outdoor fires in 2001.
o Charcoal grills have a higher risk than gas grills of death due to fire or unvented carbon monoxide; most of these deaths do not involve fire.
o Charcoal-fueled or other solid-fueled grills caused an estimated 400 home structure fires and 200 home outdoor fires in 2001.
o Placing combustibles too close to heat, and leaving cooking unattended, are the two leading causes for charcoal grill home fires.
o Half of all gas grill and charcoal grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.
o Gas fuel is the leading item first ignited for home outdoor gas grill fires.
o Wall coverings, exterior trim, and plants are the leading items first ignited in home outdoor charcoal grill fires.

More information is available at www.madisonfire.org