Enjoy your grill, safely

July is National Grilling Month but families are already enjoying the outdoors and cooking over an open flame. In fact, 80 percent of all U.S. households own a grill, according to a 2013 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association study, increasing the chances of a possible home fire.

Make your family cookout memorable for the right reasons this summer. Ensure the fire stays in the grill by keeping a home fire extinguisher on-hand and within easy reach.

To prevent accidents before they happen, the National Fire Protection Association offers these safe-grilling tips for summertime:

• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Place the grill at a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a three-foot safe zone around the grill.

• Keep the grill clean by removing all grease or fat buildups from the grills and the trays below the grill.

• Use long-handled grilling tools to provide plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.