A house fire within town in May was caused by a BBQ being just a bit too close to a house, and now that the warmer weather seems here to stay, and more people will be out BBQing, it's a good time to freshen up on safety tips for grilling.

Moose Jaw Fire Departments Public Education Officer, Cathie Bassett, says the first thing you need to worry about is keeping the grill, and the area around it, tidy.

"Clean, Clean, Clean, get everything cleaned out. There could be spiderwebs, dirt, dust, rust, all kinds of debris in your BBQ from over the winter. Really make sure the BBQ is in good shape before you light it up for the first time. It makes sense to have a safe grill for your food too, you don't want your food to get contaminated."

Making sure there's no clutter under or around your BBQ is just as important. Another thing to keep is mind is keeping distance between your grill and your house, shed, fence, or anything else that could catch fire from the heat. The area behind the grill is where the hot gas escapes from inside, so that area specifically should be clear.

Bassett goes on to talk about what to do if you're cooking food outside, and something catches fire.

"Disconnect the gas if you have any chance of doing that. If it gets really out of control, turn off the gas and shut the lid, just like you would in the oven within your home, make sure it's contained by shutting the lid or door. Call 9-1-1 as well, we will be there in a short amount of time. Don't throw water on a grease fire either. What happens when you throw water on a grease fire? It blows up at you."

Bassett says it's easy to get complacent with these safety tips since BBQing is something we all do so regularly, but that doesn't make the tips any less important.

If you live in a condo or apartment complex, you need to make sure as well that you have permission to have a BBQ on the balcony. If you are, ensure its at least a metre away from any doorway below your balcony, and at least 3 metres from any air intake. 

While transporting propane takes to and from your complex, use the service elevator. If there is no elevator, Bassett recommends you take the stairs alone. 

You can view a full list of safety tips below, courtesy of the Moose Jaw Fire Department.