Summer Grilling Tips

Last time we covered how to be safe when working on home improvements or repairs, however during the summer we focus on many diverse activities such as grilling outdoors. We'd like to cover a few things when it comes to properly grilling outside: 

Location

This is definitely one of the most important things to consider when grilling outside, stay clear from any buildings or structures. Keep a distance of at least 10 feet between your grill and anything that could potentially be flammable such as trees or tables. Clear the area and make sure that there aren't a lot of dry leaves around. 

Food

Bring your food out until it is ready to be cooked to avoid it from going bad. If in doubt on whether the food is fully cooked or not, have a food thermometer handy so you can accurately tell if the food is done. Don't use the same plates that you use to bring the food out for the food that has already been cooked unless it has been thoroughly washed, they can carry unwanted bacteria. Eat the food shortly after is has been prepared on the grill unless you plan to store in a cooler with ice or fridge. 

Residue

Grills can build up a lot of residue so make sure you clean it before and after each use. Leaving the grill lit for a minutes after use can loosen up and burn some of the excess food or fat left on it. Depending on what kind of food you are making, it may contain a lot of fatty tissues, this can create unexpected flames so be aware of this and adjust the size of your fire accordingly. Keeping a lid on the grill can prevent the flames from becoming uncontrollable. 

Preparation

Before you start grilling, read the instructions for your equipment whether it is charcoal or gas. Make sure that all the parts are connected as instructed, the last thing you need is for you grill to fall apart in the middle of a cookout.

Charcoal grills need a special technique to be ignited, we advise from you staying away from using lighter fluids. Doing it the old way of using paper or starter wood is usually the best approach even though it may take a little longer. Once you are done with the grill, put out the the charcoals by letting them run their course and disintegrate or by adding some water which unfortunately can make things a little mushy.

Gas grills can have other things go wrong, you're exposed to flammable gases for a prolonged period of time. There is potential for gas leaks and with so many more moving parts, there is potential for more things to malfunction and in turn cause an accident. Avoid at all times using a match when possible.

In addition to preparing your grill, you should always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of the fire getting out of hand. 

As always use precaution when playing with fire, it is also easy to get distracted with friends and family so make sure to always pay attention, keep kids and pets away and watch your drinking to stay alert. 

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DIY: Safety Tips

Whether you are making home improvements that require a contractor or not, safety should always be a priority in everyone’s list. Anytime that you are dealing with tools it is important to keep the following things in mind: 

Protective Gear

Tools are made to cut through hard materials like steel and wood, our skin is made of something that is much more fragile than that. There are areas of our bodies, like that eye, that is even more flimsy than our skin. This is why we must protect them with googles and gloves. If you are working with things that produce fire like soldering materials you may want to invest in clothing that protects you from burns. 

Clean Workspace

You’ll want to make sure that the space that you are working on is clear of any obstacles that could potentially lead to an accident. More specifically don’t leave tools laying around, watch out for nails and things like furniture that you could trip on. When you’re done working, put everything away, this can prevent you or others who may wander into your area to hurt themselves. 

Ladders are one of the biggest reasons for an accident in a workspace. People often don’t clean up their workspace or they don’t secure the ladder properly causing accidents. Make sure that your ladder isn’t shaky and that it is on solid ground before starting getting on it. 

Abilities 

Do you know how to properly and safely work your power tools? Do you also know yourself well enough to know how much strength you’ll apply when using these tools? These are two questions that you need to ask yourself before you start any major DIY project. Knowing and respecting your power tools is extremely important, you need to know how much damage they can cause if not used properly. Also giving them routine maintenance is important, a tool that is not properly greased or that has loose parts can have catastrophic consequences. 

The strength applied to a tool can also cause unwanted mistakes, apply too much pressure or strength and a project can be ruined. You can also lose grip on a tool if you put in too much strength into it leading to a potential risk of injury for yourself and/or others. 

Capability

Out of all the previous reasons why there are accidents when working on DIY projects, this the one that causes the most issues. People tend to be over confident on their ability to execute a project. We’ve talked about before how it is important to know one’s boundaries when working on a home improvement project, so don’t bit more than you can chew. If you’re not confident on a project then don’t be scared to ask for help or hire a professional like New Earth.

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

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