By the Numbers: Be careful when using your outdoor grill

18,600

Number of people in 2007 who went to an emergency room due to an injury involving a grill, according to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. Roughly half of the injuries were thermal burns, and children under the age of 5 accounted for about a quarter of the total, mostly from contact with a grill.

To avoid injury at your home when you light up your grill for family and friends over the Fourth of July weekend, read " Tip of the Day: Be Safe When Grilling" and follow this advice from CSA International, an accredited lab that certifies gas grills and myriad other products. And try these steps to help your grill cook better and last longer.

—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Need a new grill? Read our June 2010 and July 2010 reviews of gas grills and check out our free buyer's guide to gas grills and ratings (available to subscribers). When you're preparing our easy, delicious grilling recipes, and avoid these common cooking mistakes. And if you're inclined to enjoy a few summertime cocktails, find out whether the Margaritaville Fiji Frozen Concoction Maker DM2000 is a real beauty.