Barbecue Safety Encouraged for Holiday Celebrations
- Woodlawn Lake Park 4th of July activities planned all day

District 7 City Councilman Cris Medina is joining the San Antonio Fire Department, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, and the San Antonio Parks Foundation to encourage residents to have a fun, safe July 4th celebration this year. Extreme drought conditions in San Antonio have led to fire-prone dry grass and brush throughout the city. Although all fireworks have been banned, citizens are still able to barbecue at Woodlawn Lake Park, where the annual Fourth of July celebration will be held.

Citizens are urged to use the following safety precautions:

Other City services will operate as follows:

• Only cook with a barbeque pit or grill. Chimineas are not designed for cooking and camp fires on the ground are not allowed.
  
• Choose a safe place for your grill. Place it away from trees or shrubs. Table-size grills should not be placed on the ground or on wooden surfaces.
  
• Barbeque pits and grills must have a screen or grate used to cook food. This grate also helps keep fires contained. Blowing sparks are a major cause of grass fires.
  
• Follow the directions that come with your grill or bag of charcoal. A little lighter fluid goes a long way. Never use gasoline to start your grill fire.
  
• Choose utensils with long handles that allow you to keep a safe distance from the fire.
  
• Be mindful of children near barbeques. Designate a play area that is away from the cooking area.
  
• Once cooking is done, wait for the coals to cool properly before disposing of them. Throwing hot cooking materials in the trash can start a fire.
  
  
• If grass/brush catches fire near your barbeque, call 911 immediately.
  
  
• Bring a small fire extinguisher or have a bucket of water or sand available to smother a grill fire that gets out of control.

Residents can call the San Antonio Fire Department's Fire Prevention Office at 207-8410 if they have more questions about barbeque safety.