The 4th of July maintains a tradition of outdoor cookouts, bonfires, and fireworks. All three activities require their own safety precautions, but if you pay attention and act carefully, your day with family and friends won’t involve an out of control fire, food poisoning, injuries, or a call to the fire department. After all, you can have fun while asserting diligence. With our Independence Day set in two days, we’ve put together some important tips for keeping your Fourth of July cookout safe.
Cookouts with a Grill
Two common types of grills are used in cookouts: propane grills and charcoal grills. Each involve their own safety instructions, but here are some general rules to follow while grilling:
- Grill outside only (or risk carbon monoxide poisoning).
- Place grill well away from awnings, homes, low-hanging tree branches, and other flammable material.
- Keep grill clean of grease and fat build-up from trays and cooking racks.
- Attend grill at all times and prevent children and animals from playing too close.
Propane Grill
Convenience and the ability to burn hot fast make propane a popular choice. You can keep your propane grill safe for a 4th of July cookout by following these tips:
- Check grill for leaks before cooking: tighten loose connections between the propane tank, burners, and regulator.
- Check propane tank hose for possible leaks by rubbing a soap and water solution over the hose, then turn tank on. Noticeable bubbles will appear where there is a leak, should there be one.
- If there is a leak, do not use the grill and have it maintenance by a professional.
- While the grill is in use, a gas smell indicates a leak. Immediately turn off the grill; if the leak continues, call the fire department and the leave the grill where it is.
Charcoal Grills
Many people are attracted to charcoal grills for that smoky taste and smell, but these grills can cause more fires that gas grills! To keep your charcoal grilling safe this 4th of July cookout, remember this advice:
- If you use charcoal starter fluid, apply it to cold coals to help the coals catch fire.
- Do not apply starter fluid to an already hot bed of coals—that’s a good way to singe off your eyebrows.
- Place starter fluid well away from the grill and out of the reach of children.
- After using the grill, allow coals to completely cool before cleaning.
Campfires
Some people may choose to grill over a campfire instead of a grill. The same rules for charcoal grilling apply when cooking over a campfire, but here are some additional tips:
- Do not leave fire unattended.
- Follow campground safety rules. If campground does not provide a fire ring, build your fireplace in a safe, manageable spot away from trees, foliage, and tents.
- Have a bucket of water or sand ready to throw over fire in case the fire gets out of hand.
- Make sure fire is completely out before leaving it unattended. Even if there is no fire, a hot bed of coals can still produce new flame or catch something on fire.
Food Safety
Another important part of keeping your Fourth of July cookout safe is by making sure your food is cooked thoroughly. Hot weather festers bacteria, so these tips will help keep food poisoning out of your holiday cookout.
- Pick meat that cooks evenly, such as lean and tender cuts: beef sirloins, chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, lamb chops, salmon, scallops, and so forth.
- Clean the grill with a stiff-wire brush and damp paper towel without chemical spray to reduce toxic fumes.
- Even if you like your steak extra well-done, do not char your meat. Burnt food can create cancer-inducing compounds.
- Eat recently cooked foods as soon as possible, because leaving any kind of food out in room temperature for more than an hour can create a good, temperate climate for bacteria to grow, rendering your leftovers inedible.
- Wash dishes that carried raw meat immediately, and never reuse these dishes before being washed.
- Wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat, and sanitize anything you had to touch before you could wash your hands.
The Ryan Roberts Realtor team wants you to have fun and be safe this Fourth of July holiday while celebrating America’s independence. Keep these tips in mind on how to keep your Fourth of July cookout safe! For more tips and advice for future and present homeowners, continue following the Ryan Roberts Realtor blog!
For all your real estate needs in Auburn, Opelika and Lake Martin, contact Ryan Roberts at 334-750-9872, or email [email protected]!