It’s that time of year again, when people get their barbecue equipment out of storage and get to grilling. Finally it is warm enough to polish the patio furniture or purchase a new set and invite the Smith’s over who just moved into the neighborhood. We at BSG want you to be safe and knowledgeable so the end result is a grand time with food and laughter. So, we have put together some barbecue safety tips you may find useful this Spring season. Barbecuing can be fun and exciting, as well as dangerous and hurtful at the same time if proper care is not taken to ensure you and your guest’s safety.
Research has shown that between 2009 and 2013 there were on average of 8,900 fires involving grills, propane grills and hibachis per year. These fires attributed to roughly 10 deaths per year, and roughly 160 reported injuries. Add that to a staggering $118 million in property damages and you’ll have cause for concern and be cautious from here on out.* In order to avoid any mishaps or injuries there are a few things you and your family can do in order to stay safe this barbecue season.
Barbecue Area Safety
As unimportant as it may seem, where you place, and what you place around your pit is essential to barbecue safety.
- You must place your unit at least ten feet away from your home or building.** Barbecue pits get extremely hot. They can easily melt siding and cause fires.
- Never, ever use your grill inside! It does not matter how many windows or doors your structure may have. If there is a cover and not an open sky there is a possibility the roof of the structure may catch a fire in an emergency situation. You may think this is common sense but some people who have small table top grills will actually try and grill indoors!
- Since you can never be too safe, be sure that your grilling area is free of all debris. Needless items such as towels, napkins and cups should be stored on a table away from the grilling area.
Personal Safety
Most of us do not take into consideration our personal safety while grilling. No one wants to be burned or injured during a fun filled family gathering.
- Be sure you wear tight fitting clothes. You want to avoid long sleeve and loose fitting clothes that could easily ignite.
- Wear short sleeves and an apron. This way you can avoid any grease splatter when flipping those juicy hamburgers or smoked sausage!
- To maintain a cool body temperature keep an ice cold beverage handy. Water would be perfect to keep yourself hydrated in the heat. If you are planning on drinking adult beverages, please drink responsibly.
- Use aluminum foil when cooking greasy food. Grease fires can start and spread very fast without ANY warning.
- In order to keep your hands at a safe distance from the heat and flames, consider using long grilling utensils.
- You’ll also want to wear fire resistant mitts.** These will protect you from flare ups and splattering grease.
- And in case of any mishaps, always have a fire extinguisher handy and accessible.
Preparing to grill with fire and personal safety in mind can help prevent any and all unfortunate accidents from happening.
So, as we prepare for the upcoming holidays and barbecue season, let’s be fully aware and educate ourselves on how to be safe while grilling. It may seem small but, it is always better to be safe than sorry. We here at BSG take pride in looking out for you and your families safety. We consider each and every one of you to be a part of our extended family and treat each call as such. That is why we want to help you stay safe and keep you informed on barbecue safety as well as security for now and always. Happy grilling! Call Today to Learn More 855-MYSMARTHOME.
