As warmer weather approaches, people will be heading outside to have some fun and enjoy good food. That means many people will be firing up their grills. However, it is important to do things safely as one mistake can cause significant damage. Here are some tips to help you enjoy a safe barbecue experience.
-
Clean Your Grill
Grease build-up can be deadly. Grease and fat can easily build up on your grill, which provides more fuel for a fire. So before firing up your grill, make sure that you give it a thorough cleaning.
-
Keep Your Grill Away
Make sure that your grill is far away from your home. Grills can damage your garage, porches, or carports. Do not use a grill underneath wooden structures as the fire could spread into the overhanging wood. Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, you need to be careful.
-
Inspect for Gas Leaks
Make sure that no gas is leaking from the grill by cleaning the hose and connections with a solution of dish soap and water. Turn the gas on. If the soap forms bubbles, that is a clear sign that the hose connections are not tight enough or have holes.
-
Avoid Decorations near the Grill
Decorations such as pillows, baskets, and umbrellas should be kept away from your grill. Many of the popular decor items today are made of flammable fibers that enable fires to spread very quickly.
-
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in the event of an emergency. Also, make sure that you have been trained on how to use the extinguisher correctly. If you are not properly trained, call 911 for help. Unfortunately, many people have suffered fatal injuries because they tried to put out the fire themselves instead of relying on the fire department.
-
Keep a Spray Bottle of Water Beside the Grill
Make sure that you have a spray bottle of water handy. If your grill suffers a small flare-up, you can spray some water to soothe things. You also do not have to worry about your food getting affected.
-
Never Leave Your Grill Unattended While Cooking
Keep in mind that fires double in size within seconds. Make plans so that all your food prep responsibilities are finalized before starting to grill. Never leave your grill unattended while cooking.
-
Never Turn on the Gas While the Lid Is Closed
If you turn on the gas while the lid is closed, gas will build up inside your grill. This can create a large fireball if ignited right after opening the lid.
-
Avoid Stacking
Do not put a lot of fatty meats on your grill. If a lot of fat drips on the flames at once, it may cause a huge flare-up that could cause nearby things to catch fire.
-
Never Grill Indoors
Never use your grill indoors. Even if you have a small grill, things can go wrong very quickly. Besides being a natural fire hazard, grills create carbon monoxide which can infiltrate your vents and can kill you.
-
Stabilize Your Grill
Make sure that your grill is stationed on something stable. Place your grill on a flat surface and make sure that the grill will not easily tip over. You can use a grill pad or mat underneath it to help protect your patio.
-
Check for Propane Leaks
You can check for a propane leak by smelling the gas. For example, if you start the grill and the flame does not light, it is a sign that something is wrong. If the flame goes out, turn off the grill and wait a few minutes to re-light it.
-
Use Charcoal Fluid
If you use a charcoal grill, use charcoal fluid. You can also add a chimney starter. Do not add anything else.
-
Wear Proper Clothing
Clothing is often flammable, so make sure that your sleeves or your apron are not dangling over the grill.
Barbecuing can be fun if done the right way. Nevertheless, make sure to have adequate insurance in place in case some unfortunate fire incident damages your valuable property. Contact our agents at Unisource Insurance Associates if you have any questions about your insurance policies. We are here to help you with the right insurance coverage today!