It's summertime, which means it's grilling time in most households in Mid Michigan, but accidents can happen.

"Mistakes happen, accidents do occur," said Derek Dalling of the Michigan Gas and Propane Association said. "Which is why the first responders need to know how to do their jobs."

Those we rely on, need to know the ropes, on how to put out this unique kind of fire. A free training session in Maple Rapids is designed to do just that.

"We teach them five different exercises," Dalling said. "The most common accident in Michigan is the propane grill."

But other propane tanks can be a risk too. Local firefighters got classroom training, then a hands on lesson.

"Everything around here that we cover in a rural area has a propane tank," Maple Rapids Fire Chief Jim Blemaster said.

But you can't just put water on these kinds of fires and call it a day, which is why these firefighters are learning the safest way to get to the valves to turn off the propane.

"The guys will learn how to put the fire out, how to turn the valves off while they're on fire," Blemaster said. "It will be good training."

The Michigan Gas and Propane Association puts on these types of sessions every summer, because now is the time accidents like these tend to spike.

"A grill fire is the most common not because the grill is unsafe, but people who use them are unsafe," Dalling said.

Accidents will still happen of course, but now the first line of defense is in the know.

"We need to protect ourselves and the property of the people we protect," Blemaster said.

Which makes everyone safer.

There are three easy ways to prevent a propane fire.

Check your grill is hoses for leaks.
Clean the grilling surface before use.
Never swap propane tanks while the grill is running, or near an open flame.