Not many things taste better than grilled foods this time of year. But its July, and did you know that according to our friends and the National Fire Protection Assn., July (15%) has been the peak month for grill fires? Actually, July is closely followed by June (14%), May (13%) and August (12%). Therefore, while July is the leader, grilling can be dangerous all summer if not done safely.

Here are some things to think about:

The grill had not been cleaned in roughly one-fifth (20%) of these fires. More than one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires annually, with leaks or breaks were primarily the problem.

So here are some tips from our friends at the National Fire Protection Association

**For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use in the months ahead.
**Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
**Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
**Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
**Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
**NEVER leave your grill unattended when in use.

If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire after it's started, and then---when you're finished grilling---let the coals cool completely before disposing in a METAL container that doesn't contain any other combustible material.

You can check out the videos in this article for more info.

So, get out and enjoy your grills, but please do it safely.