Don't Grill on That Balcony!

Summer's coming and with it, some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.

But there are some summertime safety tips about grilling that East Providence Fire Marshal Oscar Elmasian wants residents to know about.

An estimated 5,700 grill fires start on residential properties each year in the United States, according to figures he provided from the U.S. Fire Administration. They cause an average of ten deaths, 100 injuries and about $37 million in damage to property each year.

More than 30 percent of grill fires at residences start on patios, terraces, screened-in porches or courtyards, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

"They don't belong on balconies," Elmasian said.

If you're going to cook on a patio, you should be at least ten feet away from any combustible structure, he added.

Other tips for safe grilling include setting the grill up away from any overhangs or dangling branches, declaring the area around the grill a "kid-free zone", regularly removing buildup from fats, and using the manufacturer-recommended lighter fluid for your grill, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Also, keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher handy and never leave the grill unattended, he said.