A gas barbecue grill is a great way for your family and friends to enjoy outdoor cooking. But according to the US Fire Administration, barbecue fires severely injure about 6,500 people each year, and cause over $27 million in property damage. This article and video provides gas grill safety tips that will help keep you, your grill, your food, and your home all safe. GRILL SAFETY Let’s start by looking at grill safety . . . which includes both operating the grill safely, and personal and child safety: Operating the grill safely Here are some tips for operating your grill safely: Open the lid prior to lighting the grill. This is to prevent any buildup of gas. Be careful of gas trapped under lava rocks. If you poke the lava rocks as soon as you light the fire, it may result in releasing pockets of flammable gas. Keep the grill stable. Be sure that all parts of the grill are firmly in place and that the grill is stable and can’t be tipped over (helpful accessory: grilling gloves