grilling safety

Fireworks. Backyard barbecues. A day at the beach or lake. Nothing says summer quite like July 4. But each year thousands of Americans end up spending part of the holiday in the emergency room thanks to avoidable injuries. This is especially true of small children, for whom July 4 is the most dangerous U.S. holiday.

Whether you're lighting sparklers or grilling brisket, here's how to have a safe Independence Day:

1. Don't let your kids play with or ignite fireworks. Children and young adults account for 58 percent of injuries from fireworks every year. Get more firework safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

2. Wear a life jacket. If you're going to be on the water over the July 4 weekend, wear your lifejacket. More than two-thirds of victims in fatal boating accidents drowned; 90 percent of those weren't wearing a life jacket. Most drowning victims were in boats smaller than 21 feet. Get more safe boating tips (.pdf) from the National Safe Boating Council.

3. Protect your head. Surprisingly, most injuries to children on July 4 are linked not to holiday fireworks, but to everyday activities like riding bicycles or playing sports, according to one recent study in Pediatrics. That's why it's important to observe safety rules every day -- including holidays.

4. Grill safely. Even if you're master of the grill, you may still get burned if you don't follow these simple grilling safety steps.

5. Beat the heat. And the bugs. If your July 4 activities take you outside, remember to stay hydrated, apply sunscreen and wear the right clothing. Plus keep a first aid kit on hand. Here's what it should include.

6. Lay off the alcohol. Alcohol consumption is the biggest contributor to fatal boat and auto accidents. And you should never drink and handle fireworks. It's a recipe for disaster.

How to Keep E. Coli Out of Your Cookout

Memorial Day officially kicks off the grilling season in our house. This is no small event: Each year we cart out special cuts of meat -- wild Alaska salmon, if we can get it, beef tenderloin, racks of ribs -- along with veggie kabobs and corn cobs still in their husks. Then we fire up the grill and enjoy the outdoors.

Though we now take grilling safety seriously, this wasn't always the case. A few years ago, I spent six weeks having a large burn wound debrided because a propane grill fire got out of hand. A leak in one of the propane hoses caught fire and ignited a nearby bottle of lighter fluid. (Why the lighter fluid was in the cabinet below is still a mystery. Never store flammable materials near a grill.) As I was putting out the fire, flaming lighter fluid splashed up my leg and scorched six inches of my shin.

The irony: I volunteered as a firefighter for six years, taking more than 250 hours worth of training classes including intense study of propane fires. Moral: No amount of training or professional experience can compensate for sheer stupidity--although a good safety plan can help reduce the chances you'll end up getting burned.

Here are five ways you can grill safely this summer:

1. Grill in a safe location. Make sure your grill is located well away from your home, eaves, deck railings and tree branches. Never leave your grill unattended, and keep the pets and kids away.

2. Before you use your grill, make sure it's in good working order. In the case of propane grills, make sure you check all connections and ensure that none of hoses are leaking. Here's how.

3. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. What kind should you get? We keep a class A-B large extinguisher on hand. The class means it can put out both ordinary materials like wood (class A) and flammable liquids (class B) like grease and gasoline.

If you already have a fire extinguisher, make sure it's still working. Most extinguishers should be replaced or serviced every five years depending on the model. Here's more on how to tell if your fire extinguisher needs to be replaced.

4. For charcoal, use only lighter fluid designed for charcoal. And don't add flammable liquids once the fire is going; doing so can cause a major flare up, which can lead to injuries.

5. Clean your grill. That fat and grease buildup in the trays and surfaces beneath the grill can cause a flare up. (Download a complete grilling safety checklist from the National Fire Protection Association here.)

Finally, make sure the food you cook won't make your family sick. Here are expert tips on keeping your food safe while you grill

Happy Memorial Day and happy grilling.

Related Links:
Ready to light up your grill? Before you start, make sure your grill's in working order. Here's how.

Proper grilling techniques can help prevent harmful bacteria and cancer-causing chemicals in food.