Fire Up the Grill (Safely) This Labor Day

Labor Day is basically a national holiday for grilling, and here in the heartland we take it seriously. Before you fire up, a few quick habits keep the fun going and the fire department off your guest list.

First, give your grill some room. Set it well away from the house, deck railings, and low branches — a surprising number of home fires start from a grill parked too close to something flammable.

Second, never walk away from a lit grill. It only takes a minute for flare-ups to get out of hand, especially with kids and pets running around the yard.

Third, if you're on propane, check the tank and hose connections for leaks before the season's first cookout. A quick soapy-water test on the lines shows bubbles if there's a leak.

And keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand nearby — water can spread a grease fire, not stop it.

The best part of a great cookout is that nothing goes wrong. If it ever does, this is a good reminder to keep a simple home inventory (a few phone photos of your patio setup and belongings) so a claim is easy. Now go flip those burgers — you've earned the long weekend.