101 CDOS Week 5: Barbecue Safety Published June 13, 2008 By Compiled from staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Whenever you barbecue... Make sure that the barbecue is at least 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 a barbecue needs to operate, and if a problem arises, then it's much easier to shut off. Always open the barbecue lid before lighting it. If it doesn't fire up on the first try, then shut it down, and try it again in about five minutes. From the time the barbecue is lit, until the food is done, stay with the fire. Accidents can happen when the cook leaves a barbecue unattended. Safety First! Always make sure that the barbecue is in a safe place, where children and pets won't touch or bump into it. Keep in mind that the barbecue will still be hot after the food is done cooking. If using a barbecue lighter, make sure to not leave it lying around where children can access it. It won't take long for them to figure out how to use it. When the barbecuing is finished, make sure the both the barbecue and the propane tank are shut off. 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 igniting them, and make sure no fluid is accidentally spilt on the body or anywhere else. Before lighting the coals, make sure the lighter fluid is at a safe distance away from the fire. If the coals start to die out, don't spray lighter fluid on the hot coals, it could explode. Always extinguish the coals when 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. Always make sure to keep children safe from fire.