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Grill safely this summer
Plenty of people can be found working their grilling magic year-round . But the vast majority of people do the bulk of their grilling over the summer , when warm temperatures contribute to a relaxed atmosphere that makes outdoor cooking and dining that much more appealing .
The relaxing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety , particularly when grilling . However , the right safety measures when cooking over an open flame can prevent home fires and other accidents that can cause injury and even death . In recognition of the many things that can go wrong when grilling , the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U . S . Fire Administration offer these simple fire safety tips that every grillmaster can keep in mind as summer grilling season hits full swing .
• Only use a grill outside . Grills should never be used indoors , and that includes in garages with the doors open . Before lighting a flame , make sure the grill is at least three feet from siding , deck rails and eaves .
• Establish a safe zone around the grill . A three-foot safe zone around the grill can decrease the likelihood that pets will run into and potentially tip over the grill . Kids can be taught to respect this zone as well so they avoid being burned .
• Open a gas grill before lighting it . Charcoal grills , hybrid grills and smokers cannot be lit unless the lid is lifted . That isn ’ t the case with gas grills , but gas grills should never be lit with the lid closed . If a gas grill is lit with its lid closed , gas can build up inside and that could cause an explosion . Even if there ’ s some summer rain falling , open the lid on a gas grill before turning the ignition switch .
• Keep an eye on the grill at all times . It ’ s tempting to walk away from a grill while food is cooking , but someone should always be tasked with staying close to the grill . If cooks must walk away , ask another adult to stay close to the grill until you return . All it takes is a few seconds for a fire to start .
• Clean the grill regularly . Regular cleaning of the grill is both healthy and safe . Cleaning helps to ensure the cooking surface is clean and unlikely to cause food poisoning . But a grease-free grill also poses less of a fire hazard than one that hasn ’ t been cleaned .
• Let coals cool before discarding them . Coals from the grill should be given ample time to cool before they ’ re removed from the grill and discarded .
• Remember to turn the gas valve to the off position after cooking . When cooking with gas grills , cooks must remember to turn the valve to the off position once all the food has been cooked .
Simple safety measures can ensure summer grilling season goes off without a hitch . n
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66 MoultrieScene AUGUST 2024