Be Careful at Your Staten Island Barbecue This Holiday Weekend
July 4th is just a couple of days away. Tradition dictates a barbecue for the holiday, if not the whole weekend. Besides fireworks, one danger confronting the Staten Island homeowner is the barbecue grill. Whether you choose natural gas, propane or charcoal, the heat generated by the grill easily tops 400 degrees. In the case of a charcoal grill, remember that it takes about 30 briquettes to grill one pound of meat. In other words, you will be cooking over 30 coals that are literally on fire, only inches away from your hands. It is important to exercise some basic safety precautions when barbecuing this summer.
First, make sure that the grates are clean and free of any grease before you light the grill. Once the grease is heated, it has the potential to ignite, setting the grill on fire and putting you in danger. Before you light, make sure that the grill is steady; once you turn on the grill, it should not be moved to another location nor is it the time to tighten the legs or that loose screw. If the grill falls, that would mean hot briquettes falling onto your feet and legs. Also, DO NOT USE GASOLINE to light the grill. Use lighter fluid sparingly and only in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. DO NOT pour on more lighter fluid once the coals are already lit as the fire could spread to the bottle, causing it to explode.
When lighting a gas grill, make sure to follow the directions. If the ignition doesn't work, don't leave the gas on while you go searching for a match. The gas will form a dangerous cloud which may ignite wile you strike the match, causing a dangerous fireball. Never leave the gill unattended, even if only for a few moments, especially if you have little children running around. When you are grilling, make sure that you wear a shirt and shoes. Food has a tendency to splatter hot grease and its helpful to have on clothing to prevent contact with bare skin. Remember to be safe and to enjoy your time outdoors this holiday weekend.
