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Grilling Safety Tips

Last weekend officially kicked off grilling season. Who doesn’t love a grilled hot dog with mustard and relish or a burger with bacon? Why not get fancy with some grilled pizza, grilled quesadillas, grilled fish/lobster or grilled vegetables, baked potatoes, all of it sounds delicious! Some people are masters at the grill are some unfortunately are not. What ever your grilling skill level, it is important to practice safety at all times. Whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill each has its own set of risks.

Let’s start with food safety.
1. When grilling meats always use a meat thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to the correct temperature.
2. Throw away the marinade after use.
3. Don’t use the same platter or utensils for raw meat and the cooked.
4. Don’t let raw meat sit out for a while before cooking. Either put it in a cooler or take out of refrigerator/freezer right before use.

Personal Safety.
1. Keep your grill outdoors, not in a garage and away from your home and trees with low hanging branches.

2. Place your grill on flat ground, not uneven or hilly surfaces.

3. Follow all manufacturer instructions for checking connections and lighting the grill.

4. Purchase barbecue gloves to protect your hands and arms while grilling.

5. Use proper grilling utensils that have long handles.

6. Keep all pets and kids away from the grill while in use.

7. Remember to watch the flames especially when grilling meats with lot of grease. Too much grease will cause the flames to rise.

8.  Never leave a grill that is in use unattended.

9. If using a charcoal grill, do not put hot embers in a metal container until cool.

10.  When finished remember to turn the propane off and let cool before putting on the cover.

Hosting barbecues is a lot of work, but always a good time. If you follow these safety tips, your barbecue should be drama free! Who wants to stop and call your homeowners insurance company in the middle of a party?