GRILLING SAFETY TIPS EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW

There is nothing better than the smell of food cooking on the grill on a hot summer day. Whether it’s my

favorite, flank steak cooked to medium rare with chimichurri sauce, or fresh zucchini from the garden, my family always looks forward to a good cookout. For me, doing the actual grilling is almost as fun as eating the food.

Everyone knows that grilling is potentially dangerous. Whether using propane or charcoal, it is important to remember that whenever fire is involved, extra safety steps should be taken to prevent disaster. Did you know that grills are a leading cause of injury during the summer months? Failure to take the right safety measures with these pieces of equipment can result in accidental fires and burns. Everyone wants to keep their family, guests, and home safe from these dangers. Here are three safety tips I try to keep in mind with grilling to keep my family safe:

GIVE THE GRILL PLENTY OF SPACE

Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your home or anything else that could potentially catch fire. I am constantly reminding my kids to keep a safe distance from the grill while lit and even after cooking while the grill cools down. We also keep our canine companion, Fenway, inside while grilling.

KEEP YOUR GRILL CLEAN

To me, tip number two is the most important one and the danger that I worry about most while grilling. Allowing grease and fat to build up on your grill can provide more unexpected fuel for flare-ups. These quick bursts of high-intensity flames often result from fats or oils dripping onto hot coals or wood and igniting. While most flare-ups extinguish themselves, the flames can ignite other flammable objects and lead to grease fires. To prevent this, use a grill brush or a ball of aluminum foil to clean your grill between each use.

HAVE A PLAN IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

Lastly, remember that proper planning can help you in the event of an emergency—and an unexpected grill fire. If a grease fire occurs, close the lid and vent to starve the fire of oxygen, and turn off the grill’s burners if you can reach the knobs. Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand next to the grill. If things get out of control, use your phone to call the local fire department.

While grilling isn’t exactly a dangerous activity, anything that involves an open flame and fuel can have its risks. With these safety tips in mind, we hope that you, your family, and your guests stay safe and enjoy your time together. In the meantime, enjoy this chimichurri recipe. Try it on a medium-rare flank steak. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. Happy grilling!

We are providing these tips to help keep your family safe but accidents can always happen. If you are injured on another person’s property this summer, you may have legal grounds to file a premises liability claim against their homeowners’ insurance. Contact Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, PLLC at (757) 599-6050 to explore your legal options during a free case evaluation.