Safety Tips Ensure An Enjoyable Grilling Experience (NAPSA)—With warmer temperatures and longer days upon us, more than 66 million Ameri- cans who barbecued last year will once again light up thegrill this year. A recent survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Associ- ation showsthat 61 percentof all grill owners have gas grills. Of those, more than 90 percent are fueled by propane. However, this preference for gas grills is not a new trend. The percentage ofgrill owners with gasgrills has steadily increased for more than a decade. To ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor grilling experience, the Propane Education & Research Council and the National Propane Gas Association are offering the following safe cleaning and cooking tips. Before lighting your propane gas grill burner, use a leak-detection solution to check all connections for tightness. Contact your local propane gas supplier to obtain the leak-detection solution and instructions on howto useit. Always follow all of the grill manufacturer’s instructions and keep written materials and manuals in a safe, accessible place. When not in use, make sure all grill burner controls are turned off and that the valve cylinderis closed. Always use or store cylinders outdoors with the relief valve in direct contact with the vapor space, usually in an upright (vertical) position. When you have yourcylinder refilled, have your supplier check for dents, damage, rust, or leaks. If you exchange your cylinder, these inspections are already completed on thefull cylinder. e After filling or exchanging, Larger cooking surfaces, side shelves and multiple burning systemsare the top reasons why barbecue enthusiasts prefer propanegrills. take your cylinder home immediately. Keep your vehicle ventilated and keep the cylinder valve closed and plugged or capped in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. When yourgrill is not in use, cover disconnected hose-end fittings and burner air intakes with small plastic bags, or protectivefitting caps from your propane supplier to keep out dirt, insects, and moisture. Remember to remove them before starting yourgrill. * Do not smoke while handling the propane cylinder. If there is an uncontrollable release of gas or fire, call the fire department immediately and move all people and pets away from the unit. * Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill. Do not use, store, or trans- port your cylinder where it would be exposed to high temperatures. (This includes storing spare cylinders underor nearthegrill.)
