Propane tank safety tips for grilling this Memorial Day Weekend

DOVER, Del. – Before you fire up the grill this Memorial Day Weekend, there are some things you should remember especially when it comes to staying safe around propane tanks.

The Dover Fire Department tells 47 ABC, if you’re using your grill for the first time this year, you should make sure all the connections are secure. You can even rub some soapy water on the connections to make sure they are tight. You’ll see bubbles where the air is coming out, if it’s not tight enough.

It’s also important that the racks inside the grill are clean so that no leftover grease or food, that can catch on fire, is hanging around. And monitor the level of the propane, which fire officials say can easily be done with a cost effective tool.

“An $8 or $9 investment that I have on my personal grill at home is a gauge that actually tells you how much propane that you actually have in the tank. So it’s basically just common sense and safety,” says Robin Christiansen with the Dover Fire Department.

If you live in an apartment, fire officials are reminding you not to grill on your balcony. A few other tips: keep your grill and propane tank at least 5 feet from your house, never light your grill with the lid closed and shut the propane valve off in between uses.