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it in the vehicle securely and upright so it can’t fall, shift or roll. Avoid leaving a propane cylinder in a hot vehicle; always head straight to your destination and remove the cylinder when you arrive.

Lighting the grill

Propane gas grills are popular because they provide fast, ef ficient heat for grilling. To safely operate your gas grill, consider these tips from the Propane Education & Research Council.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Whether it’s assembly, use, maintenance, cleaning or storage, make your grill manufacturer’s instructions your go-to resource for safe grilling.

Position the grill in a safe location. Keep your grill outdoors and away from the house, based on the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. Choose a level surface that is clear of outdoor furniture, overhead trees or other potential fire hazards.

Verify the grill is of f. All knobs and switches should be turned to the off position before you attempt to attach or replace a propane cylinder.

Ensure a tight connection. When attaching the propane hose to the fitting on your grill, be cautious of cross-threading. Keep twisting by hand until the hose and fitting are as tightly sealed as possible to minimize the chance of leaks.

Check for leaks. Use a leak detector solution or soapy water solution to check connections for leaks. Slowly open the cylinder valve and watch for bubbles, which indicate a leak. If bubbles appear, close the valve, tighten the connection and check again. Follow this procedure ever y time you replace a cylinder.

Follow proper lighting procedures. Follow the manufacturer’s lighting instructions to generate a flame. Regardless of the grill model, keep the lid open and avoid leaning over the grill when lighting it.

Follow proper relighting procedures. If your flame goes out, turn off the gas and refer to your owner’s manual. At a minimum, keep the lid open and wait at least 15 minutes before relighting.

Be present. Stay close, and never leave your grill unattended.

Storing propane cylinders

Your propane cylinder can remain attached to the grill when not in use, but if you have extra cylinders that are not in use, it’s impor tant to store them safely and properly. Never store a small cylinder inside; it should always be kept outside, never in an enclosed area like a basement, garage, shed or tent.

Choose a location away from potential heat sources that reach temperatures of more than 120 degrees, such as a stove or fireplace. Never store extra cylinders near the grill. Keep ignition sources away from the area while handling or transpor ting a propane cylinder.

Find more tips for grilling safely this summer at propane.com.