NUTS & BOLTS
INSURANCE
SizzleWithout the Burn 3 KEYS TO A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL SUMMER COOKOUT
by BreAnn Stephenson
S
dling have already been ignited, and do not use any other type of flammable or combustible liquid to get the fire started. • If the fire is too low, rekindle with dry kindling and more char- coal if needed. Adding liquid fuel can cause a flash fire. • Keep flammable items such as oven mitts and towels away from your grill, as the grilling surface may be hot enough to burn them long after you have finished cooking. This is a leading cause of structure fires from use of charcoal grills, an NFPA study concluded. • If you need to attend to another hosting task while grilling, ask one of your cook team to help you finish your food prep. Never leave your grill without a set of watchful eyes. • After cooking, completely close the valve on gas grills and wait for any charcoal to completely cool. Dispose of any coals or ashes in a metal container that is kept well away from the house. • Remove any grease or fat buildup after cooking to help keep the grill safe for the next cookout. KEY 2 ATTENTIVE INDOOR COOKING While many of the items served for a summer get together may be cooked outside on the grill, others, like side dishes, are likely to be prepared in the kitchen simultaneously. Some rules of thumb for managing multiple cook stations: • Be sure you have enough assistants to help you staff all the sta- tions, both indoor and out. Enlisting help from your guests can actually break the ice and make them feel more at home. • Don’t leave your fryer or baked beans unattended to go check the burgers and grilled corn. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, according to recent data from the NFPA. • If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check
chool’s out now, and one of the best parts of summer, I think, are the cookouts. Some of the best memories I have with friends and family have come from these get-togethers. A key part of our mission at Affinity Loss Prevention Services (ALPS) is to deliver seasonally relevant information to help you protect your properties. So, as I am preparing to entertain my friends and family on one of our favorite holidays of the year, Independence Day, I realized that these events can hold dangers that get overlooked due to distractions and fun. Though the information that follows may ring familiar in your ears, shar- ing these tips with your tenants should allow for an enjoyable summer that is burn-free, both for their loved ones and your property. And after all, if you don’t tell them, who will? KEY 1 SAFE GRILLING • All grills—whether propane, wood or charcoal—should only be used outdoors. Grilling in an enclosed space, even if ventilated, can cause harmful carbon monoxide buildup. • Place grills or pits at least 10 feet away from the house or garage and a safe distance away from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic. • Fire pits or grills should never be used on a balcony or under an overhang, nor should they be used on wood decks. • Always keep children and pets away from the grill. A three-foot “kid-free zone” is a good rule of thumb. • Check the hose on your gas grill for leaks before using it each year. A leak or break is the leading contributing factor to gas grill fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). • If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill. • For charcoal grills, do not add starter fluid when coals or kin-
102 | think realty magazine july :: august 2016
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