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Good Grilling Starts With Safety...

Backyard cooking is a great way to entertain or just create a family meal.

Barbecued food can be fun to prepare and just as much fun to eat. Cooking outdoors was once a hot weather activity, but now grills are fired up for outdoor cooking all year round.

Whether you're grilling in a snowstorm or enjoying the summer sun, it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness.

While everyone is having a great time, don't forget that you really are playing with fire. Keep the party going by doing a quick check of these safety tips before you fire up the backyard grill.

Do:

• Spray a 50/50 mixture of water and liquid soap on the connection when you hook up a new propane cylinder to your gas grill. Look for bubbles. If you see them, tighten the connections.
  
  
• Keep foods refrigerated until you are ready to cook. Leaving edibles in the hot sun can ruin the party.
  
  
• Keep the lid open when lighting your grill.
  
  
• Brush the grill with canola oil to prevent food from sticking.
  
  
• Turn off the controls and close the cylinder valve when you finish grilling.

Don't:

• Use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
  
  
• Use gasoline, or any other flammable liquid not designed for the job, to start charcoal grills
  
  
• Let kids ... or grownups play near the grill.
  
  
• Use, store or transport cylinders near sources of high temperature.
  
  
• Store spare cylinders near the grill.

Related Web Resources...

Barbecue Safety

BBC- Barbecue Basics

Outdoor Grilling

Barbecue Food Safety