The Dos and Don’ts of BBQ Safety

May is National Barbecue Month. It’s time to get back to grilling in the great outdoors if you haven’t already. There’s nothing quite like spending a comfortable spring evening relaxing outside and cooking up a fat treat on the ole BBQ. So if you haven’t done it already, clean off your BBQ this weekend and throw a party.

Just be sure that you remember to be safe in your excitement. The following is a list of things you should and shouldn’t do when working your grill.

Dos

• Check the connection between the propane tank and the BBQ. Check them that they are secured tightly.
• Also check the venture tubes (the spot where air and gas meet) to ensure they aren’t blocked.
• Keep the grill 10 feet or more away from the home, in an open area. When working with grease, propane, and a lot of fire, you wouldn’t want the flames to catch on a wood overhang, or any part of your home.
• Clean the grill regularly to remove grease and fat.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby that can handle grease fires. Learn how to use it and keep it close.

Don’ts

• Leave your grill unattended when on. Get everything you need in one place and camp out next to the equipment until the job is finished.
• Use your BBQ indoors. As mentioned in the “Dos” section, you want to keep your grill at least 10 feet away from the home. Even if the grill is small, it still poses a fire and gas threat.
• Overload your grill with too much food, especially fatty meats. The fats provide sustainable grease to feed a fire that can quickly get out of hand. Start your cooking earlier or be willing to cook longer rather than work with too much food on the fire.

Do practice safe cooking habits. Don’t grow careless with your safety just because it seems safe.