As the weather warms up, you may be itching to warm up your grill, too– after all, there’s no more delicious way to enjoy the sunshine than a good barbecue. While you’re perfecting your burger technique, make sure to keep yourself and your home safe with these barbecue do’s and don’ts! 

BBQ Do’s

  • DO have a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you’re using the right type of fire extinguisher for your grill– Class A fire extinguishers are for ordinary combustible fires, but Class B extinguishers are rated for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, and oil. Check your extinguisher’s label for which type it is and what’s inside, and if it has a black label that says CO2, do NOT use it on grease or oil fires since it can spread the flames.
  • DO check for gas leaks if it’s a gas grill. Gas leaks can be a major safety hazard, but there’s an easy way to check if your barbecue’s hose has leaks: give the grill a good cleaning, then add a bit of soapy water to the propane hose. You’ll know there’s a leak if you see the bubbles growing once you turn on the propane.
  • DO make sure the grill is attended at all times. That way, you’ll be there to fix any problems that come up, and to keep kids and pets at least three feet away from the grill even when you’re done using it.

BBQ Don’ts

  • DON’T place your barbecue too close to the house. It needs space for ventilation to prevent building up too much smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide. To stay safe, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends keeping grills 10 feet away from any walls or siding.
  • DON’T cook under an awning. You’ll run into the same smoke buildup issues as placing your grill too close to your house, plus additional risks— as embers float up from the grill, they can catch things around them on fire, including that awning right above it. Keep your barbecue at least 10 feet away from awnings, deck railings, trees, or any other flammable structures. 
  • DON’T start a gas grill with the lid closed. Leave the lid open when starting it to prevent gas from accumulating and creating a dangerous fireball. If your flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off, then wait at least five minutes before lighting it again.

It may not be BBQ-related, but I’ve got one last “do” for you: DO reach out to me today if you’re on Long Island and looking for a home inspection!