Grilling Safety Tips for the Summer

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

When we aren’t experiencing daily showers or a hurricane, summers in Louisiana are beautiful. The summer heat gets many people in the mood to hang out by the pool or beach, relax and maybe even grill. However, just like with cooking in your home, grilling too can have its fire hazards and it is best to practice safety measures. While here at SERVPRO of Ascension Parish, we are big fans of throwing a few burgers on the grill on a whim, we also following these safety tips before grilling:

1. Keep Your Grill at a Safe Distance

Keeping your grill a safe distance from your home in a safe, open area is best. This means in an area where there are no overhangs nor any activity from people or pets. Every year many people injure themselves accidentally coming in contact with a grill. 

This rule also goes for any furniture or decorations. Many outside decorative items are made from plastics, meant to withstand any weather condition. This plastic and other artificial material can make for quick ignition for a fire. 

2. Keep Your Grill Clean

Like grease fires in a Ascension Parish home, leftover grease and food particles can also cause a fire. Cleaning your grill after cooking is done and once it’s cooled down will save you from any work the next time you decide to use it. 

3. Do Routine Maintenance and Safety Checks

Grills should be treated like any other major appliance. Checking your propane tanks for gas leaks, loose hoses or any other damage before use is highly recommended. Be sure to keep any charcoal, fuel, and lighters within safe distance once your grill is lit. 

4. Keep an Eye on Your Grill

Make sure you are always near your grill, actively watching it for any signs of misuse or potential accidents. Being vigilant and cautious will help keep your food from overcooking also!

5. Don’t Overload Your Grill

Putting too much food on your grill may make the cooking process slower, pushing you to turn up the heat. Turning the heat up can be unsafe especially when cooking food items that are fatty, like hamburgers. Dripping fat combined with high heat can also cause a fire to occur. 

Other preventative measures may mean keeping a fire extinguisher nearby, using the proper cooking tools, and storing the grill properly when done. 

Soaking up the sun, hopping in the pool, and grilling is all part of summer in Ascension Parish. Doing so safely means more fun days to come without experiencing any fire damage to your home.