This holiday weekend, there are sure to be millions of barbeques firing up across the nation, which is why the City of Bothell posted a handy safety guide to Memorial Day grilling.

“There’s nothing like outdoor grilling,” the pamphlet states. “It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.”

One of the first tips is to check the gas tank hose for leaks by applying a light soap-water mix to the hose to check for propane bubbles when the tank’s valve is open. Leaks can be dangerous, so if propane can be smelled while cooking or if there is no flame, turn off the tank for no less than 15 minutes before relighting the grill.

– Propane and Charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors- The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves or overhanging branches- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area- Keep your grill clean by removing grease and fats buildup from the grills and in the trays beneath the grill- Never leave the grill unattended- Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it

For Charcoal grills: – There are several ways to get the coal ready to use; charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as fuel (but not the most recent issue…)- If you use starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid, never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the fire- Keep charcoal fluid out of reach of kids and pets, and away from heat sources- An electric charcoal starter can be used and do not create fire, however be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use- When done grilling, allow the coals to cool completely before disposing of them within a metal container.

July is the peak grilling month, according to the National Fire Protection Association.