Guide to Grilling

Grilling is a favorite family summer affair. Mother in the kitchen, Father standing at the grill, and kids playing in the sprinkler summer is the ultimate season for fun in the sun! A picnic table full of the best summer foods can make any grilling party a success! Impress your friends and family with the perfect grilling experience. Grilling receipes, tips, and tricks are here for you!

Practicing grilling safety will make your summer cooking easy and fun!. Minimize the risk of burning yourself, don't wear loose-fitting clothes. Tie your hair back if it's long to prevent burn, and to practice good hygiene when dealing with food. If possible, wear closed toe shoes and long sleeves. Dropping a hot piece of meat or sharp knife on your foot is not the way to fun in the sun! Know where a fire extinguisher is at all times.

Keep a fire extinguisher near the porch or other area for easy access. If you don't own an extinguisher keep a water hose, or bucket of water, within arm's reach. In addition to water, have a phone and first-aid kit nearby. Don't hesitate to call 911 in case of an emergency. Also, make sure your first-aid kit is handy and stocked with updated products for outdoor activities.

Find a safe, level ground several feet away from the house to grill on. Don't set your grill up in an enclosed space like the garage. Hot grills give off carbon monoxide which is deadly. Make sure the grill is located at least 3 feet away from family and friends insuring protection from the smoke and fire. The only flammable liquid that should be used on a charcoal grill is lighter fluid. Never use paint thinner or gasoline as a substitution to light your grill. Don't add lighter fluid to coals that are already burning. This will cause the flame to rise and may burn arms, face, or body.

When lighting a gas grill, always have the lid open and keep flammable containers and lighters away from the grilling area. Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking. Never use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed

Food safety begins at the grocery store. It's better to select cold food like meat and poultry last, right before checkout. Warm meats are harmful. Keep raw meat and poultry separate from the other foods in your shopping cart. Placing meat in a clear vegetable bag, found in the vegetable section of the store, will help keep bacteria from spreading. Drive directly home from the grocery store. If traveling a longer distance, you may want to take a cooler with ice for perishables. Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. Refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Once home, refrigerate meat and poultry immediately. Poultry and ground meat that will not be used within 1 to 2 days should be frozen; freeze other meat within 4 to 5 days.

Some common barbecue practices promote the growth of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, especially in warm weather. Thaw and marinate meats in the refrigerator, on a low shelf, and on a plate to catch drips. If you thaw in the microwave, make sure to grill the food immediately after thawing. Make sure to have fresh plates and utensils ready for cooked foods. Don't use the same plates that contained the raw meats. Raw meats can cause illness if not handled or cooked properly. Always wash your hands after touching raw meat. Keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket or apron will allow you not to leave the grill unattended. If you want to reuse a marinade as a sauce or glaze, boil it for 2 minutes first, or set some aside before adding raw meat. Don't let the food sit out for more than an hour on days over 90 degrees F. Meat and poultry should be thoroughly cooked. It is best to use a meat thermometer to check for safety and doneness. Large cuts of beef like roasts may be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F for medium. Poultry should reach 180°F. Make sure to serve food immediately so bacteria doesn't have a chance to form. Promptly refrigerate any leftovers, dividing larger quantities into small, shallow containers so the food will cool more quickly, with less chance for bacteria to grow.

An unavoidable task in grilling is pest control. Always Keep food in covered containers to deter ants or other insects. To minimize bee interference , keep soda and beer cans covered when not drinking out of them. Don't leave sweet foods, drinks, or cut fruits out because bees and ants will swarm in uninvited. Use insect repellent on your body and clothes if you notice mosquitoes buzzing around. If grilling at night an insect candle or lamp may be a good option. A mosquito magnet is expensive, but can be very effective. It's a machine that emits carbon dioxide to attract bloodsucking insects, like mosquitoes, and then sucks them into a net. If used often and early in the season, mosquitoes won't have a chance to reproduce.

Good Grilling behaviors are beneficial to you, friends, and family. Each year there are about 20 deaths and nearly 400 emergency room-treated injuries from accidents involving charcoal grills at the home resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning. Lighting the grill, food safety, and pest control can give you a better chance at avoiding these injuries.

SOURCE: Home Safety Council