Charcoal Grill Safety

Charcoal Grill Safety

• When using charcoal briquettes or wood chunks, form a pyramid and douse with lighter fluid. Wait until fluid has soaked in before lighting. 
• Cap lighter fluid immediately and place a safe distance from grill.
• Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm.
• Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile fluids as a starter. They can explode.
• As an alternative to lighter fluid, use an electric, solid, metal chimney or other starter specifically made for lighting charcoal briquettes or wood chunks.
• Unplug and remove a hot starter with caution and be careful where you put it. Always cool starter completely before storing.
• Never use an electric starter in the rain and/or when standing on wet ground.
• When using instant light briquettes, do not use lighter fluid, electric, solid, or metal chimney-style starters. Do not add more instant light briquettes once the fire has been lit. Add only regular charcoal briquettes if more are needed.
• Once the grill is lit, do not touch briquettes or wood chunks to see if they are hot. Keep grill uncovered until ready to cook. 
• Keep vents open while cooking. Charcoal briquettes and wood chunks need oxygen to burn. 
• Allow coals to burn out completely and let ashes cool at least 48 hours before disposing. 
• Dispose of cold ashes by wrapping in heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing in non-combustible container. Be sure no other combustible materials are nearby. 
• If you must dispose of ashes before completely cooled, place them in heavy duty foil and soak with water completely before disposing in non-combustible container.