Summer has officially begun! Summer in Eastern New York is a pleasant and beautiful time of the year. Whether you’re heading out to the beach, camping, attending a community festival, or watching a sports event, it’s important to always stay safe!  At the American Red Cross, we want everyone to enjoy the season, so check back with us weekly for safety tips you can follow all summer long.

For part 4 of our Summer Safety Series, we’re focusing on staying safe while grilling.

With the warmer night coming, the grilling is coming as well. Being safe while grilling outdoors is a top priority this summer for keeping you safe while making your delicious food. Follow these safety tips from the Red Cross:

A recent Red Cross survey showed three in five adults have walked away from a grill while cooking, one of the leading causes of grilling fires which cause more than 9,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:

1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

2. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.

3. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.

5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.