Enjoy safe backyard barbecues

Backyard barbecues are synonymous with warm weather. And why wouldn't they be?

flame when the weather is warm embodies the relaxing spirit of spring and summer, prompting many people to leave their oven ranges behind in favor of charcoal and gas grills.

As relaxing as backyard barbecues can be, they can quickly take a turn for the worse if cooks don't emphasize safety when grilling out. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 9,600 home fires are started by grills each year. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that, between 2012 and 2016, an average of 16,600 patients went to the emergency room each year because of injuries involving grills.

Such statistics only highlight the need to balance the fun of grilling with safety when hosting a backyard barbecue or cooking for the family. The following are some steps people can take to ensure their backyard barbecues are safe.

grills pose a threat as well. It's easy to assume gas grills don't pose as great a threat as charcoal grills, which produce soaring flames once the charcoal is lit. But the NFPA notes that gas grills are involved in 7,900 home fires per year. No grill is completely safe, and cooks must emphasize safety whether they're using gas grills, charcoal grills or smokers.

never be used indoors. Even if rain unexpectedly arrives during a backyard barbecue, keep the grill outside. If unexpected rain is accompanied by lightning and thunder, extinguish the fire in the grill and go indoors.