Margate Fire Department offers grilling safety tips

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MARGATE – Everyone loves to grill hot dogs, hamburgers and juicy steaks outdoors during the summer, but it could turn tragic if simple safety tips are not followed.

Margate Fire Chief Dan Adams said most of the fire calls received during the summer months are from grilling flare ups that can create hazards for residents and visitors to the shore town. July is the peak month for grill fires and half of all injuries involve thrermal burns, he said.

Adams recommends:

For charcoal grills:

For propane grills, check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

Here's how: Apply light soapy water to the hose. If it's leaky, bubbles will form. If you smell gas or see soapy bubbles, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. Have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the Fire Department.

If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the Fire Department. Do no move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn off the grill and gas tank and wait 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

The city has two fire stations in the north and south areas of the city. In the event of an emergency call 609-822-5562 and the attendant will dispatch a truck from the nearest fire station.