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Backyard Barbecue Safety Basics | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to get your space back in shape.
Summer might just be the perfect time of the year. Even if the Texas heat isn’t your favorite, you can’t go wrong with lazier days and plentiful sunshine. Summer also brings around barbeque season. Spending time cooking in the backyard with the people you love the most has to be one of the best parts of the season.
It might be the best part, but it can also be one of the most dangerous parts when it isn’t done safely. Improper use of grills is a leading cause of house fires during the summer season. SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island wants you to enjoy every moment of fun the summer has to offer, worry free.
As you dust your grill off for the season, consider its placement. Grills should be in an open space only—so that means even on a rainy day that comes so often with Brownsville weather you shouldn’t be grilling in the garage. Place your grill somewhere it can properly and fully vent, free of overhangs or other items around it.
As you choose your location, look for something that is at least 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials. Whether you are in Brownsville or on South Padre Island, you are going to get a lot of sun, but you still shouldn’t put your grill under your shade tree. Teach your four- and two-legged children that this is a safety zone they are not allowed to enter to prevent the possibility of burns.
If your grill uses charcoal for its fuel, make sure ashes and buildup are cleaned out after every use. Examine the grill itself, checking for cracks, holes or other signs of wear and tear. Propane and other gas grills should also get a thorough inspection before use. Make sure connections are all tight and look for holes in the gas lines. Even a tiny hole can result in an explosion and an extremely dangerous situation.
When you are ready to cook, make sure you stay nearby to keep a close eye on the grill. Keep a squirt bottle full of water at hand to tame any flames that are jumping too high, and put your hose or a fire extinguisher somewhere you can quickly and easily access it if fire does overtake your grill.
While it may be tempting to get a round of applause by carrying in a plate of your hard work, you need to hang out by the grill even after the food is done. Let someone else handle distributing the food while you turn off the gas and any burners you were using.
Charcoal grills can be extinguished by closing off the vents and stopping the flow of oxygen to the charcoal. Remove any ashes as soon as you can safely do so, and dispose of them in a metal can. These can catch back on fire with very little heat, so the safest thing to do is to remove them from the heat source. Check the grill before you head to bed and ensure it is plenty cooled down.
Summers on the Island and the surrounding community can truly be the best time of year. Play safely and prevent a disaster so you can enjoy every moment of your day. If things do get out of hand, SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island are here for you, 24⁄7.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island for a fast restoration.