10 Tips For Safe Summer Barbeques

Summer is a time for fun and enjoyment as warm weather settles in and provides opportunities for you to draw satisfaction from the outdoors. There are few things as quintessential of summer outdoor fun as the barbecue. They have long since proven to be the ultimate expression of summer delight and relaxation. 

Barbecues call for the use of open flames in conditions that one cannot always control. These conditions are mostly weather-related, and while the very mention of a summer barbecue implies that the sun will be out and the temperature mild and enjoyable, you cannot always be sure of the wind. This and other factors can affect the overall success of your barbecue. Therefore, you must keep some important safety guidelines in mind as you plan your next barbecue.

As you prepare to bring out the tongs and uncap the lighter fluid, the following tips and pointers should help to keep you and your loved ones safe as you enjoy your barbecue:

1. Ensure the cleanliness of your grill. You must double-check to confirm that your grill has been adequately cleaned after its last use, be it last summer or the previous day. Using grills that aren’t well-cleaned risks the sparking of rogue fires that could cause a lot of damage.
2. Maintain proper spacing between the grill and the house. It is inadvisable to have a grill that is set up very close to or that is flush with the house. Keep your grill a reasonable distance away to prevent the possibility of a spark catching on a part of the home.
3. Avoid having party effects close to the grill. Things like streamers and other decorations can easily be blown into and out of the fire, thus creating a ‘mobile flame’ that can set other items on fire.
4. Have a bottle of water close by to aid in the quick dousing of flames.
5. Have a fire extinguisher close at hand as a backup to the bottle of water and to tackle larger flames.
6. Make sure that, if in use, all the gas lines are fully intact and well attached and sealed to prevent leaks that could ignite once a spark makes contact.
7. Certify that your grill is placed on a surface that is entirely flat with no tilting.
8. Keep a close eye on the grill itself. You should not walk away from it so that you may be able to take quick action should anything untoward happen.
9. Open the lid of the grill before turning the gas on to prevent the accumulation of gas while you are striking a match which could cause an explosion.
10. Do not light the flame again immediately after it has gone off. Wait some time with the gas and the grill off before attempting to relight.

Diligence is essential in maintaining safety as you set out to get your barbecue underway. Do not overlook the safety recommendations that have been made available to you. You must not forget to enforce these safety measures among your loved ones as well.

You may also contact a professional that is familiar with the intricacies of operating a grill to get in-depth advice on the proper operation of a grill. Contact your local dealer today for more advice on the same.