The month of July is prime time for outdoor cooking, though Perry Fire Chief Chris Hinds reminds grill enthusiasts to exercise caution when doing so.

For people using gas grills, Hinds says the safety precautions begin before you even light it. Specifically, he advises care when it comes to bringing home a recently filled propane tank. “Be sure you get it out of the trunk of your vehicle, the backseat of your car, the bed of your pickup, or whatever right away and get it in a cool, shaded area. Don’t forget it and leave it in the vehicle, because those things get extremely hot and the tank will expand. There is a pop off valve on them that will cause that gas to vent out, and it may fill your vehicle with gas. There’s many problems that can arise from something like that.”

Hinds says potential hazards of a leaking propane tank include explosions if something sparks, or asphyxiation if it fills the passenger compartment. He also reminds people to turn off their gas grills when they’re done, including shutting off the tank, in order to avoid other potential fire hazards. Similarly, with charcoal grills, he says to extinguish the coals before going inside, as they can easily be tipped over accidentally and catch something on fire. To learn more about grilling safety, click the link below to listen to the recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Hinds.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2020/07/03/lets-talk-dallas-county-7-3-2020-chris-hinds/