Use a wooden scraper and keep the lid open when turning on the gas.
Barbecue season is in full swing and it’s the perfect time to cook up a fantastic meal and hang out with friends. Grilled chicken, barbecued steak, and amazing grilled veggies that make your taste buds pop can be ideal selections for summer cooking. What you don’t want on your plate, however, is a huge metal bristle dropped in from a old barbecue scraper that can get stuck in your throat, making you choke.
A news report from CBC.ca based in Canada tells the story of a 5-year-old in British Columbia who swallowed just such a bristle, accidentally, while dining at his grandparents’. He had to be rushed to the local emergency room. Medical staff eventually got the piece of metal out but not until a considerable ordeal had taken place.
Metal wire brushes are popular go-to tools for cleaning barbecues but alternatives may be safer.
What should you do to keep your barbecue safe and sound this season?
Here are our top five tips.
Use a wooden scrubber or soap and water to clean your grill
To avoid those pesky pieces of metal settling in your throat, invest in an effective wooden grill scraper. Some of these come with a flat edge that you work back and forth over the grill to form grooves that fit your grill perfectly. If you can’t get your hands on a wooden scraper, try wiping your grill down after every use with some simple soap and water on a wet cloth to keep it clean.
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Check your your hose for leaks
You want to limit any fire hazard associated with your barbecue by regularly checking your hose for leaks. To do this, rub a solution of dish soap and water over the hose, (half soap, half water). Turn on the gas. If bubbles form in the soap, your hose has some minute holes that need fixing.
Always have the lid open when you turn on the gas
Turning on the gas with the lid closed can cause the gas to build up inside your barbecue. This can burst into a fireball when you light the barbecue and open the lid, which is obviously dangerous. Always have the lid open when you turn on the gas.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
You can’t predict when an accident might happen but you can be ready for it. Keep a fire extinguisher near your barbecue and know how to use it. This can potentially save a life… and your home.
Always use your grill outside
Barbecues need good ventilation and should always be used outside. If you don’t have enough room in the backyard, push your barbecue into your driveway from the garage, when in use. Put it away when done.
Stay safe this summer and keep your meals delicious and fun by following these tips. Bon appetit!
photo credits: Jaclyn Vernace/Shutterstock.com
