Hosting a Backyard Barbecue?

Here are some tips for keeping your party safe, healthy, and fun.

Stay safe next to the fire with these reminders:

Check for gas leaks
Before your party, make sure there are no gas leaks in your gas grill by rubbing soapy water onto the gas hose and turning the gas on. The appearance of bubbles indicates a leak. Do not, under any circumstances, ignite the grill if you have detected a gas leak. Buy a new hose before you use the grill again.

Keep water nearby
Keep a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby anytime you barbecue, to put out a flame in an emergency or to use on a burn.

Ventilation
Don't ever barbecue in the garage, even with the door open. Barbecues produce lethal carbon monoxide, which can build up in an enclosed area.

Child safety
Keep the kids away from the grill. Better yet, grill away from people and preferably at least 10 feet away from your house, garage, or trees.

First aid
In addition to water, have a phone and first aid kit nearby. Don't hesitate to call 911 in case of an emergency. Also, make sure your first aid kit is handy and stocked with updated products for outdoor activities.

(Not) Feeling the burn
If you or a guest suffers a burn, do not put butter, oil, ice, or ice water on it—they can further damage the skin. Soak the burn in cool water. Then treat it with a skin care product such as aloe vera or an antibiotic ointment. To protect the burned area, you can put a dry gauze bandage over the burn. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), to help with the pain. Seek medical attention if a minor burn is more than 2–3 inches in diameter or if the burn is severe (skin will be white or charred and it may not hurt if nerves were damaged).

Care for Your Skin

Do your part to prevent skin cancer: apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher. Don't skip often-overlooked areas such as hands, and ears, neck. The scalp can be duly protected with a wide-brimmed hat. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block harmful rays, but use sunscreen on your eyelids—the sunglasses will protect your eyes but not your skin. (Read the manufacturer's warning to ensure that particular formula of sunscreen won't irritate the eyes.) For lips, use a lip balm with a minimum of SPF 15. Clothing with built-in sun protection can help, as can seeking out shady areas.

Keep the Bugs at Bay

Nothing dampens a party mood more than swarms of mosquitoes. Keep your property free of any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are generally considered the most effective in repelling mosquitoes. For children, be sure to use products with no more than 10 percent DEET. Or take a natural approach and burn citronella candles to ward off the bothersome insects. But bites are likely to occur anyway in summer months, so keep antihistamines, anti-itch medications, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers on hand for anyone who's particularly uncomfortable. Cold compresses can provide relief too.

Dancing with or without the Stars

Turn on the stereo and dance. Partygoers of all ages can benefit from cutting a rug. Like other moderate, low-impact, weight-bearing activities, such as brisk walking, cycling, or aerobics, dancing can help do the following:

• Strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints
• Tone your entire body
• Improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls
• Increase your stamina and flexibility
• Reduce stress and tension
• Build confidence
• Provide opportunities to meet people
• Ward off illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression