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" With all the distractions that come with the Fourth of July, (parades, guests, and fireworks to name a few) it&amp;#039;s easy to forget some safety essentials when you&amp;#039;re firing up the grill. Follow our 10 tips below to ensure that you&amp;#039;re Independence Day cookout is memorable for the right reasons. 1. Choose a good spot. Obviously you should only grill outdoors, but you should also make sure to find a well-ventilated area. Stay away from narrow passageways or spots under low-hanging awnings or shades. Make sure the ground is sturdy and level. 2. Be mindful of combustibles. Sure, you&amp;#039;d never leave a bottle of lighter fluid next to the grill, but treated wood, including your house or deck, can present dangers as well, choose a spot at least 5-feet away from the house, patio, or garage. Get ideas on how to safely organize your grilling space.  3. Never start charcoal with gasoline or alcohol. Charcoal chimney starters are a great way to light charcoal, but if you need a little extra help, use a modest amount of charcoal starter fluid, making sure to wipe up any spills. Check to see if any fluid leaks through the vents at the bottom of your grill. 4. Don&amp;#039;t add lighter fluid to hot coals. Adding lighter fluid or treated charcoal briquettes to hot coals can cause dangerous flare-ups. Instead, allow the coals to fully cool before restarting the fire. 5. Stand by your grill. It&amp;#039;s never a good idea, especially if children or pets are nearby. 6. Wear the right clothing. Loose fitting or baggy clothing is a bad choice around the grill, where flare-ups could cause them to catch fire. 7. Don&amp;#039;t move a hot grill. Not only is it easy to burn yourself on a hot grill, but you could inadvertently knock the grill over, causing the contents to burn whatever they land on. 8. Use a thermometer. It&amp;#039;s easy for this safety tip to slip your mind, but according to the University of North Carolina, grilling accidents only account for about 30 deaths per year, food borne illness kills over 5,000. Cooking foods to a safe temperature is no-brainer. Our Thermometer Test makes it a cinch to find an easy to use, accurate model. 9. Don&amp;#039;t line the inside of your gas grill with foil. Doing so could cause grease to collect instead of draining away, which ultimately could lead to a fire. 10. Never extinguish with water. Whether you&amp;#039;re fighting a flare-up or trying to cool off hot coals, it&amp;#039;s never safe to use water, which can cause a grease fire to spread or cause your grill to warp from the sharp temperature change. Instead, shut off all the burners (or close the vent on a charcoal grill) and close the lid. For more info on all things grilling, check out our Grill Guide.  Already a seasoned pro? Advance your technique with our Insider Grilling Secrets. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a22985/safe-grilling-tips/>