Safety Tips For Outdoor Grilling

Grilling Outdoors

When grilling, there is no better place to do it than outdoors. Food produced by grilling is complimented by the ambiance of simply being outdoors. However, grilling outdoors is not completely safe as it could pose some hazards to safety. In fact, there have already been serious cases attributed to outdoor grilling. Structure and outdoor fires are also some serious cases, and that is why with grilling, safety is an important issue.

So to make your grilling experiences safe, here are some important tips you should consider the next time you decide to grill.

Check Your Grill

If using a gas grill, always check for leaks each time you start grilling. Leaks can catch fire from the grill top and could cause very serious cases, so make sure there are no leaks. When doing this, make sure you don’t use a lighter to find where the leaks are. Take note that lighters are only to be used to start charcoal-type grills and never on gas grills, especially when testing for leaks. This would save you from a lot of danger.

Also, make sure your grill is stable and not shaking with the possibility of toppling over. The fire on the grill top can cause a lot of hazards if the grill topples over. In addition, make sure fire extinguishers and first aid kits are readily available. You never know what could happen while barbecuing, so it’s best to be safe and ready.

Check The Area

Make sure your outdoor grilling area is safe, and by safe, take a few measures. Mark the grilling area as a “no play zone” for your kids, and only allow them to get near if the grill has completely cooled down. Also, make sure pets are away from the grill at all times. Since it is an outdoor grill, the name itself already explains where it should only be used. It should only be outdoors at all times and never indoors.

The grilling area should also be away from objects that could catch fire and could easily spread it to the house itself, or even the bushes, trees and shrubs. Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from any of those places. The grill should be isolated and ideally should stand alone away from everything else in the backyard. The grill should also be kept away from electric cords and outlets because having the latter two exposed to heat can have them explode and catch fire.

Other Guidelines

When grilling, never leave the grill alone while the fire is still burning. Even if a long process would not have you on the food, you should still make sure you are carefully watching the grill at all times. Also, make sure you use long utensils while grilling because not only are you more versatile while on the grill with them, but you are also safer from burns you can get from the grill. Make sure you also watch what you wear.

Shirts or aprons with tails or frills that are hanging can catch fire. As much as you want to enjoy grilling, you also want to be safe. The guidelines provided to you here should be of great assistance.

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Prepare for the worst hurricane in the best way possible

Believe it or not, the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines of the United States are regularly battered by hurricanes – about five on average – about every 3 years.

It is a fact that hurricanes bring about a lot of windy conditions, some of which are as strong as a hundred miles an hour. Hurricanes also come with water surges that reach as high as twenty feet.

Such cyclones are extremely dangerous; therefore preparing for their onslaught, especially during the months of June up until November, is a smart and practical thing to do.

The following are tips and advice you could do to best prepare for the worst situation that could happen when hurricanes come.

Be aware and beware

Understand and know that every hurricane is different. Preparing for possibly the worst is usually the best option as it makes one prepare and become pro active.

Make a list and check it twice

Make a list of all the items found in your backyard or front yard that you think you need to bring inside a hurricane hits. Items you could include in your list are yard tools or lawn furniture.

Trim it

As much as possible, keep shrubbery and trees trimmed. Doing so prevents any unnecessary entanglements brought about by tree branches or the like. Remember what happened during Gustav?

Drain it

As much as possible, ensure that all gutters as well as drains area are appropriately cleared. This is to prevent further flooding, especially during bouts of long and heavy rainfall that usually accompany strong hurricanes.

Use shutters specifically designed for hurricanes

Using permanent shutters for doors and windows is much safer and a better alternative that simply taping all the glass as doing the latter does not in any way prevent the glass’ breakage. You could also protect the window from the outside by using plywood or the shutters.

Plan for an evacuation

As much as possible, develop an evacuation plan. Try to communicate with your local emergency management chapter or Red Cross office.

They may be able to provide you with an evacuation route as well as nearby shelters.

Prepare blankets

Have sleeping bags and blankets ready just in case there is a need to rush to a shelter.

Think about your pets too

Know in advance what you to do to take care of your pets. A lot of animals were abandoned during the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina.

Gather necessary emergency supplies

As much as possible, prepare supplies beforehand. This list of supplies should include flashlights, batteries, a radio, water and food, first aid kits, and a can opener.

Also, turn the temperature on your fridge to the highest setting. The reason for this is when the power goes off, the cool air of your fridge will get to stay a lot longer, thereby preserving your food a lot longer.

Elevate your home and furniture

It is also a good idea to elevate your house especially if hurricanes and flooding are common in your area.

All in all, preparing for the worst is always the best course available. It could save you precious time and energy as well as possibly save your life as well as that of your loved ones.

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