It’s getting warmer and you know what that means? It’s time to get out the grills and cook out! As soon as the weather get nice, most families take the cooking duties outdoors. From dinner to family cookouts, fun in the sun includes the gas or charcoal grill. In spite of how great grilled foods taste, gas and charcoal grills account for an average of 10 deaths, 100 injuries and $40 million in property loss each year! (According to the United States Fire Administration).
We want you to have a great time with your outdoor cook out, but also be safe. Keep reading for some important safety tips.
Food Safety
- Don’t cross-contaminate. Keep raw and cooked foods separate by not using the same platters or utensils.
- Cook your food thoroughly. Cooking on a grill often results in quicker browning of the meat on the outside, but the inside typically remains raw. Use a food thermometer to ensure your meat is cooked properly.
- All raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops and roasts should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 F.
- All ground beef, pork, lamb and veal should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160 F.
- Poultry should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F.
Avoid Grilling Mishaps
- Don’t let children and pets play near the grilling area when cooking until the grill is completely cool.
- Place your grill at least three feet away from other objects including your home, trees and outdoor seating.
- Use starter fluid for barbecue grills that use charcoal only. Do not use starter fluid for gas grills.
- Check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to make sure it is not leaking and is working properly before using a gas grill.
- If you suspect that your gas grill is leaking, turn off the gas and get the unit fixed before lighting. Never use a match to check for leaks.
- Do not bring your grill into an unventilated or enclosed space such as the garage or inside of your home. This is not only a major fire hazard; it is also a carbon monoxide hazard.
Cook Out Carefully To Prevent Fires
- Wear tight-fitting clothing that cannot drape over flames or into pans.
- If you have long hair, tie it back.
- Do not place oven mitts, hand towels or hot pads on or near the range.
- When you are done cooking a meal, double-check to make sure that all appliances are turned off.
- Unplug portable appliances when they are not in use.
- When cooking on your range, turn on the vent hood fan to minimize any smoking.
- If your gas range does not light on its own, be extremely careful when lighting it.
If The Event Of A Fire:
- Turn off the gas or electrical appliance that is fueling the flames, if possible.
- If the fire is in a pan on your range, cover the pan with its lid or a baking sheet. If this does not work, use a fire extinguisher or sprinkle baking soda on the pan.
- In the event you are cooking with oil and it catches fire, DO NOT pour water on the flaming pan. This will make the fire worse.
We hope that you take the time to use these simple safety tips to have a great summer cook out season with your friends and family!