1. Don’t leave valuables in your car, even hidden. Whether you’re the tailgate host or not, don’t leave anything that would tempt a passerby.

2. Be very cautious about allowing anyone else to drive your car. If a friend is in an accident while driving your vehicle, you’re the one who will be held responsible.

3. Does your cheap car insurance cover non-driving accidents, vandalism, damage or theft? If not, consider getting free auto insurance quotes to find better coverage.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the exchange program:

You can’t beat the convenience. The number of exchange locations is every increasing; you can find them at local DIY or garden centers, gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores and even drug stores. With many of those open 24/7, you never have to wait until daybreak to get a refill if you’re one of those midnight barbecuers. PRO

You may not always get back what you give. Say you’ve got a fairly new, undented, clean propane tank for exchange. Do you really think you’re going to get one back in the same condition? Not in a million exchanges. CON

The cost varies. It’s usually cheaper to refill your tank than to exchange it. And when you refill, you pay for exactly what you take. Many exchange centers (including the big chain) are under-filling their tanks, meaning that you’re paying more and getting less. CON

Some offer home delivery. A couple of places will actually bring the LP right to your front door or your barbecue grill, as it were, and refill it on the spot. Almost as good as pizza delivery! PRO

Propane tanks (at least those manufactured over the past 14 years) have a safety mechanism - a regulator - that can easily be triggered if you don’t turn off your propane properly.  The regulator is there to prevent gas leakage; if the propane system stays pressurized, it won’t trigger.  If the regulator is triggered, though, you’ll find that your gas grill won’t burn as hot as it usually does.  Here’s how to be sure that your grill reaches the right temperature, every time.

1. Ensure that the control knobs are set to the “OFF” position.
2. Turn ON your propane tank (here’s where the “lefty loosy” part comes in).
3. Turn ON your control knobs.
4. Cook.

Now, when you’re done cooking, it’s the reverse.

1.      Turn OFF your control knobs.

2.      Turn OFF your propane tank (”righty tighty” time).

3.      Bask in the afterglow of a successful barbecue.

If you think you might have triggered the regulator, because your grill is not getting hot despite a high flame setting, you need to reset it.  Every grill is different, so refer to your owner’s manual for instructions.

Flood lights have an important purpose so we don’t want to suggest that you get rid of them.  What we’re saying is that flood lights don’t exactly set the mood or the ambiance that you want when all you want to do is relax.  Really, you’re not looking for prowlers or trying to scare off amorous tomcats, are you?  No, you want to sit back and wind down, enjoy the perfect end to a perfect day.  What you don’t want is to feel like you’re being zeroed in on like an escapee from some old prison movie.

What you want is lighting that is subtle and understated; achieved through solar lights or lamps, candle light or softly glowing lanterns, or even the ebbing light from a chiminea or fire pit.  You’re not warning off ships, you’re enjoying the nightlife.  And the nightlight.

According to the city ordinance, which took effect just this week, barbecuers are not permitted to place any barbecue or grill in front of their home or dwelling, on their porch or alongside any dwelling.  The barbecue grill must also be set up a minimum of 12 feet away from any public right of way (i.e. a sidewalk).  Nor can a barbecue be used, even within a fenced yard, if it’s within 20 feet of a sidewalk.

The punishment for failure to abide by this city ordinance?  A $500 fine and/or a 90 day prison sentence.

Residents have responded with amazement and anger, and the majority of barbecuers polled have indicated they’d rather go to jail than be denied their right to celebrate their freedom with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

Lawn ornamentation shouldn’t be dull or kitschy.  You want something that adds pizzazz, stirs up excitement or controversy or just plain old conversation.  The choices are amazing, ranging from replicas of Roman, Greek and Italian statues to fantasy figures including fairies, gargoyles, mermaids and unicorns.

Whirligigs and wind-wheels don’t belong just on the miniature golf course.   They’re a folk art favorite that’s been around for nearly two centuries.  Do they have a practical use?  Some say they can portend the coming of a storm.  Others say they keep moles and crows away.  Whatever.  They’re just plain fun to watch.

Your yard is nothing more than a great big canvass on which to show off your artistic side.  Be bold.  Be brave.  Be fun!

Crustaceans on the grill, who’d've thunk it?  Crabs, lobster and even shrimp don’t have to just be boiled or steamed to death.  They’re delicious on the grill, too.  You’ve just got to work fast, because it’s very easy to overcook and over-handle your shellfish.

Shrimp or prawns can be skewered if they’re small or put directly on the rack, so long as they don’t fall through.  You can also create foil packets for them with seasoning and olive oil.  Shrimp needs no more than 2 or 3 minutes for each side; just cook them till they’re no longer translucent.  Don’t remove the shells, though, they help hold in moisture.

To cook a lobster on the grill, you need to first cut it down the middle, and then slather the exposed flesh with some flavored-butter.  Four to 5 minutes is enough on one side then flip it over and give it a quick brush with more butter for another 5 minutes or so.  The claws need a bit longer, because of the density of the shell, so remove them from the carapace and put them back onto the grill.

The easiest of all are clams, oysters and mussels; just lay them flat and remove them as they open, then add your sauce, butter or seasoning.

Oh, and fooled ya!  Delicious on the grill, but all of that shellfish is really still being steamed.  But isn’t it more fun to do it outside?

Bad idea.  No.  Not even bad idea.  Worst idea of all.  Anything but legitimate charcoal lighter fluid is, to put it succinctly, unsafe.  Sure, it’s convenient to grab the kerosene for your hurricane lamps or the gasoline that you powered your lawnmower up with.  Yeah, they’re combustive liquids.  But they’re the wrong combustive liquids.

Gasoline explodes.  Adding gasoline to a fire in a barbecue grill will not just flare up the flames, it will explode the grill.  You’re essentially creating a weapon; a very big, very dangerous, very sharp weapon that will create a shower of shrapnel and flames that will severely injure or even kill anyone standing nearby.

Barbecues are supposed to be fun events.  Not an opportunity to test your first aid skills.  Stay safe.  Barbecue season is here.

Here’s what else you need:

• Galvanized garbage can with lid.
• Single burner hot plate (yes, they still sell them).
• Heavy duty extension cord (optional).
• Metal wood chip box.
• Wood chips.
• Circular rack that will fit in the top of the garbage can.
• Temperature gauge or thermometer that can gauge the ambient temperature.

Ready? Good.

1. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the garbage can and file the edges so that they’re not sharp. The hole has to be large enough to snake the hot plate cord through.
2. Cup a few (two or three) small air holes into the garbage can lid.
3. Put the hot plate in the bottom of the can.
4. Place the wood chip pan filled with wood chips that you’ve pre-soaked (for at least 30 minutes) on top of the burner.
5. Turn on the burner.
6. Close the lid and let the smoke build up.
7. Check the temperature; you’re looking for between 220° and 230° - remember, you’re smoking, not burning.
8. Put your food on the grill rack and close the lid.
9. Change the wood chips as needed (every 2 hours or so).
10. Wait patiently.
11. Enjoy.

We’ve all heard about little barbecue grills, but never has there been a grill smaller, more convenient or portable than this one.  The Rambler is basically two grills held together by a single post that is augered right into the ground.  You can either put charcoal on the lower plate, or put the Rambler right into your bonfire and use both grills for food.  The grills rotate so you don’t have to reach into the flames to take your food off.  Even though it’s a compact grill, it can still hold more than a dozen burgers or even the fresh fish you just caught (and as a bonus, your spouse will no doubt thank you profusely for not bringing it home).

When you’re done, fold the grills in half and pack them away into the carrying case that comes with it.  Then shove it all into your backpack and you’re good to keep going.

On to the next fishing hole!