To most Americans, May signifies the start of spring. But to those of us who love to grill, it’s the start of barbecue season! After months spent indoors, most of us can’t wait to fire up the barbecue and start making all the recipes we’ve been saving in our phones. But before you rush to grab a lighter, make sure you’re using your barbecue safely. In honor of National Barbecue Month, here are a few barbecue do’s and don’ts that are sure to keep you and your family safe this season.
Do:
- Keep your grill far away from the side of your house. Your grill should be at least 10 feet away from your house, porch, awning, or any screened in areas.
- Clean your grill before and after you use it. Cleaning your grill not only makes it more sanitary, it also gets rid of the grease and gas buildup that can cause a fire.
- Keep a spray bottle nearby. In case of a small flare up, a spray bottle will be able to quickly control the fire and keep it from spreading (and burning your food!).
- Know how to use a fire extinguisher. Nearly every home in America has a fire extinguisher, but many people don’t know how to use it. Though they’re not difficult to use, fire extinguishers are not as simple as “grab, point, and shoot.”
Don’t:
- Leave a grill unattended. Running in to get extra buns is fine, but you should never leave a grill sitting outside for hours while you’re in the house, or worse, out of the house!
- Grill inside. Especially when using a small, single-serve grill, some people think it’s okay to grill indoors. However, no matter the size, you should never grill indoors. Not only is it a fire hazard, grills emit small levels of carbon monoxide.
- Pile on the food. If your Memorial Day party end up being a bit bigger than you initially expected, it can be tempting to load your grill up with food for your hungry guests. But be careful, if too much fat drips from your food, it can cause a fire.
Once you’re done enjoying your time outside, let Mitch Wright help keep you comfortable indoors! Whether you need an air conditioning repair, tune-up, inspection, or maintenance plan, we’re prepared to take care of any air conditioning needs you may have!