101 CDOS: barbecue safety Published June 23, 2009 By compiled staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Safety office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Barbecue time! So let's get the grill ready to go! Spend a few minutes on your "Q", and you'll have a cleaner, safer running barbecue. Whenever you barbecue... -Make sure that the barbecue is at least five feet or, better yet, 10 feet from the house or any other material that could catch fire. -Only open your propane tank a quarter to one-half turn. That's all the gas your barbecue needs to operate, and if you have a problem, it's much easier to shut off. -Unless you're keen on joining the space program, always open the barbecue lid before you light it. If it doesn't fire up the first time you try it, then shut it down, and try it again in about five minutes. -From the time you light the barbecue, till you're finished cooking, stay with your fire. Accidents can happen when you leave a barbecue unattended. Safety First! Always make sure that the barbecue is in a safe place, where kids and pets won't touch or bump into it. Keep in mind that the barbecue will still be hot after you finish cooking. If you use a barbecue lighter, make sure you don't leave it lying around where the kids can access it. It won't take long for them to figure out how to use it. When you're finished barbecuing, always make sure that you not only shut off the barbecue, but shut off the propane tank as well. A few tips for charcoal grillers Never use gasoline to get the coals going. Instead, use charcoal lighting fluid. Let the lighter fluid soak into the coals for a minute or so before lighting it. That gives the explosive vapors a chance to dissipate. Stand back from the coals when you ignite them, and make sure you didn't accidentally spill any fluid on yourself, or on any area surrounding the grill. Before you light the coals, make sure that you put the lighter fluid at a safe distance away from the fire. If the coals start to die out on you, don't spray lighter fluid on the hot coals. You could end up with explosive results. Always extinguish the coals when you're finished barbecuing. Here's a safe way to do it: wearing oven mitts, take the coals out of the barbecue with tongs, and submerge them in a metal pail of water. Follow these tips and barbecue away - enjoy your summer safely.