July is National Grilling Month but families are already enjoying the outdoors and cooking over an open flame. In fact, 80 percent of all U.S. households own a grill, according to a 2013 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association study, increasing the chances of a possible home fire.

Make your family cookout memorable for the right reasons this summer. Ensure the fire stays in the grill by keeping a home fire extinguisher on-hand and within easy reach.To prevent accidents before they happen, the National Fire Protection Association offers these safe-grilling tips for summertime:• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.• Place the grill at a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a three-foot safe zone around the grill.• Keep the grill clean by removing all grease or fat buildups from the grills and the trays below the grill.• Use long-handled grilling tools to provide plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.