GRILLING: Many of you pulled out your grills for Memorial Day, and it was just the beginning of a summer of outdoor grilling.

Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Flinn shared a few safety tips:

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles.

• If your grill has a gas leak, by either smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.

• If the leak doesn’t stop, call the fire department.

Propane or charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. When using either type of grill, Director Flinn recommended these safety tips:

• Keep the grill well away from your home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Remove grease or fat buildup from the grill and in trays below the grill.

• Never leave your grill unattended, and keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill at all times.

• Always make sure the lid of a gas grill is open before lighting.

• If using starter fluid for a charcoal grill, use only charcoal starter fluid, and never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the fire.  Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.

• If your charcoal grill has an electric starter, use an extension cord.

• When finished grilling, let the coals cool completely, then dispose in a metal container.

“These are common sense tips, but when relaxing with family and friends, it can be easy to forget or overlook these safety precautions,” Commissioner Miller said. “But doing so can result in injury or a fire, which can damage or even destroy your home, and along with it valuable possessions, even irreplaceable family mementos.”