10 Memorial Day safety tips for Charcoal Grilling

The Memorial Day is not far off, so many of you choose to celebrate with family and friends by throwing a barbecue on Memorial Day! While cooking up some burgers and hot dogs and catching up with friends and family is a great way to spend the day, there are several safety tips that you should keep in mind. There are, after all, some safety hazards regarding fire and food when it comes to grilling out. Be sure to follow these 10 Memorial Day safety tips when throwing a barbecue to celebrate the holiday:

• Make sure there is nothing flammable near the grill. One small spark from a grill flare-up can ignite a flammable object.

• Place the grill in an open area. It should be a safe distance away from buildings, vehicles, shrubs, or trees.

• The charcoal grill should be level and stable. A windy day could blow the grill over.

• Don’t wear long, loose-fit clothing. A long, baggy sleeve could accidentally catch fire while you are flipping those burgers. Wear short sleeves or a tighter shirt instead. A great suggestion is grill gloves and apron.

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Even if you make sure to follow every safety tip imaginable, accidents can still happen, and it is better to be prepared.

• There’s a good chance that you will have children and maybe even pets running around your yard. Keep them away from the grill.

• Never leave the hot charcoal grill unattended. You should always have a responsible adult supervising the hot charcoal grill .

• Never add any kind of flammable liquids to the grill when the fire is already set. The only type of fluid you should use is a charcoal starter fluid if you are using a charcoal grill or read my post on how to start a charcoal grill.

• Clean the grill before you use it. Grease dripping will collect in your grill over time. The more grease that builds up, the more of a chance that a flare-up will happen.

        •   Be responsible when using the grill. The last thing you should be doing is cooking food over an open flame while drinking alcoholic beverages. While you may be tempted to have a few beers while cooking out – especially since it is a holiday- wait until after you are done grilling to have a drink.

If you plan to grill out on Memorial Day, you will want to ensure that you follow these 10 Memorial Day safety tips to prevent any potential accidents or injuries.