Grilling out has become one of the most popular summer activities in the United States, Americans prepare about three billion meals on grills each year. While this is an excellent way to socialize with friends and family, a trip to the emergency room or a visit from the fire department would put a serious damper on your party. Improper and unsafe use of outdoor grills is responsible for 19,000 emergency room visits and 7,900 house fires each year. The following are some safety tips that will allow you to grill out all summer without a trip to the hospital.
Before you grill, there are some basic things to remember; they may seem like common sense rules, but you would be surprised how many people don’t think about them. Always keep the grill a safe distance from your house or any other building. Never use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, under an awning or any other surface that can catch fire. Be cautious of overhead obstructions including tree branches while grilling. Keep a fire extinguisher close by when grilling and make sure you know how to properly use it; this is an absolute must-have grilling accessory. Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire; both can cause an explosion.
While you are cooking, never leave the grill unattended, especially when children or pets are nearby. Never attempt to restart a fire by adding additional lighter fluid to an already-lit grill; this can cause a flare-up. Keep children, pets and bare hands away from the grill. Use insulated, flame retardant mitts, and specially designed barbeque tongs and utensils when grilling; the handles are usually longer on these specially designed tools and keep hands at a safe distance from the flames. And remember, coals get hot, up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, so wait until the coals have cooled completely before discarding them.
These are some very simple tips that will make your outdoor grilling a safe and enjoyable experience. They are easily followed and mostly just common sense; just remember to follow them and you won’t end up in the emergency room next Saturday night.
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