There have already been a few house fires over the last month in Hall County directly linked to outdoor cooking, and Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell is reminding us of some precautions that should be taken in using grills... whether they are gas or charcoal.
1) Do not use anything but an approved lighter to help start a charcoal fire.
2) Do not use a charcoal grill indoors.
3) Be sure to cover the grill after you finish with it if the coals are too hot.
4) Don't turn on the gas on a gas grill and then leave it to, say, answer the phone. A flash fire or worse could occur when you come back and try to light it due to the build up of gas.
5) Turn off the gas grill when you are done with it.
6) Keep charcoal and gas grills away from the site of the house.
7) Double-check to make sure charcoal grills are covered or the coals have been extinguished and to make sure a gas grill has been turned off.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/3/236980