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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6 Ways to Avoid Mosquitoes

Summer can be a wonderful season, we get to spend time outdoors and it is an ideal time for vacation trips. Whether you are relaxing on your front porch or sitting at a family’s river vacation home, you’ll quickly notice some of the annoyances that come with summer. Mosquitoes can really ruin one’s day, so here a few things to remember to minimize these pests:

• Wearing a long sleeve’s and long pants can be of great help, especially if you have skin that irritates easily

• If you have a swimming pool, make sure to keep it in good working condition. Still water is an easy breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• On that note, still water can be a source for more mosquito breeding, this can come from: potted plants, cans, pet water dishes, birdbaths, etc. Try to keep those empty to a minimum whenever possible.

• Nets can be your best friend during the summer. They allow the cool breeze in but keep all the nasty pests out. Use nets over a front or back porch, tents, and even baby strollers if you have infants around. 

• There’s also plenty of insect repellants for both people or whole areas. There’s also candles that emit a bug repellent fragrance, these tend to last a while and can be reused. 

• Ensure that all your entrances and windows close tightly, mosquitoes are small and can come in through open cracks. 

There’s also some more natural and earth friendly ways to keep mosquitoes away such as: using an open beer to attract mosquitoes away from the area that you’re standing or even using cinnamon and eucalyptus oils as bug repellants. To find out more about some natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes click here.

The National Pesticide Control Center also has some great information on how to deal with unwanted summer pests. 

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Tips for Spring

Spring is here and soon it will be summer, before this wonderful weather runs out there are a few projects that you should consider doing that our friends at Forbes Magazine suggest. 

1. Gutter Check

This one seems simple enough  but most people overlook it. The reason why you should check your gutters is because a lot has accumulated over the Fall and Winter. Having a backed up gutter can cause all kinds of problems to your home including leaky roofs and fire hazards. This is a project that will not take very long but can save you a lot of money. 

2. Chimney Sweep 

A lot of older home in Richmond, VA have fireplaces. Again, they could be heavily backed up from use over the winter to all kinds of debris coming in from the outside. If a chimney is not properly kept it can be a major fire hazard. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it later on! 

3. Water Pipes

This one is definitely one that can be easily missed. Water pipes can freeze over the winter, especially in Virginia. Water freezes and expands in the pipes, sometimes rupturing them. This can be a very costly problem if it is not address immediately. Broken pipes can cause floods in unexpected areas of the house costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

4. Air Conditioning

Summer will be here before you know it and with that you'll have a vey expensive AC bill. Optimizing your home for climate control is a good idea for saving money down the long run. Make sure that you don't have any leaks in windows, doors, attic, etc. Also ensure that your AC unit has all the properly maintenance done: filters, cooling liquids, etc. You can find different set on AC maintenance by visiting different resource sites on the web. 

5. Roofing

Your roof has taken a beating over these couple of seasons so it is smart to check to make sure everything is in order. This is something that if you suspect could be a problem, you might want to call a professional to inspect your roof. It can be a dangerous spot to check yourself so if you have any doubts we recommend to leave it to the professionals. 

To read this article in full please visit Forbes.com

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