Summer is in the air.

There’s that smoky, sweet scent of Brown Sugar Bourbon Chicken wafting from the grill next door. Or maybe it’s the fruity aroma of sizzling pineapple as the cinnamon-honey glaze bubbles and caramelizes.

Even if the menu calls for the basics like hot dogs and s’mores, it’s time to get your grill on!

It’s also time to make sure your barbecue plan includes cooling and wetting down coals after the meal.

If you don’t, your coals could start a fire – in your garbage cart, in the truck that collects your garbage, or even down the road at the transfer station or landfill.

The challenge with barbecues is coals and ashes appear cool, but actually stay hot long after the meal is over. When disposed improperly, coals can create a fire risk for your family, your neighbors and your Waste Management drivers.

It happens often. Many times during these prime grilling months, Waste Management drivers have to make emergency stops to empty their trucks and fight fires caused when people put hot coals in the trash.

Drivers even come across carts that have melted to the ground because of carelessly handled ashes or coals. Local firefighters frequently respond to fires in garbage and recycling containers.

You read that right: Sometimes people put barbecue coals and ashes in recycling bins. Not a good idea!

Even if the coals have cooled, putting coals or ashes in your recycling bin means the whole load goes to the landfill because everything gets contaminated.

So as you embrace all that is fun and delicious about summer, Waste Management urges you to add safety to your backyard barbecue plan to protect yourself and our community.

Let coals and ashes cool several days in the grill or fireplace before handling.

After that, transfer the coals and ashes to a metal container and wet them down. Keep the container outside and away from combustibles.

Do not use galvanized containers, as hot coals will release noxious fumes when in contact with galvanized metal.

Once coals and ashes are completely cool, double-bag and place in your garbage bin or bring them to a transfer station or landfill.

Never put coals or ashes in recycling or yard debris bins!

If you ever have questions about reducing waste or recycling, Waste Management is here to help. Just shoot us an email at recyclenw@wm.com or give us a call at 425-825-2013.

Here’s to a summer of safe (and delicious) grilling.

Michelle Metzler is the public education and outreach manager for Waste Management of the Pacific Northwest.