Beautiful Day? Check! Grill? Check! Fire Safety? Check!!

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Well folks, days don’t get any better than this.  I mean seriously, it is gorgeous outside! Mid-70’s, plenty of sun with a few puffy clouds, and a slight breeze… man it sure makes me want to get outside! Among the many reasons to love this kind of weather, one of my favorites is the seemingly limitless ability to fire up the grill and through anything and everything on it.  

Whether you love to throw some steaks on the grill, a rack of ribs, or some delicious chicken wings that have been marinating all day, there’s one thing that all of these have in common- fire safety.  While grills are great for cooking a variety of foods (for all you vegetarians out there, trust me, I love grilled asparagus!), as well as a central spot for family/friend gatherings, they all share one thing- they contain open flames! Yes, fire people, FIRE.

Now while that may be exciting for some (including myself), open flames are not to be taken kindly.  One little mistake can cause severe burns to yourself or anyone who may be lingering around the grill.  Furthermore, it could also very well cause a fire to your property, say your porch or back deck, that could then spread to the main part of the home.  Or thing about the possibility of a low hanging tree branch that could easily ignite.  

We don’t mean to sound like a Debbie downer, but the risks are real and ever present when dealing with grills.  Whether you’re of the gas or charcoal variety, the simple truth is this: the food is delicious, but the fire hazard is always there.  That’s why have the proper tools, like appropriate- length tongs, flame-resistant gloves, and a fire extinguisher handy are the ways in which you can most significantly reduce the risk of fire or injury while enjoying the sound of sizzling sirloins or the smell of slow cooking brisket.  Remember, a happy and safe grilling experience is what you want every time.  You certainly don’t want to find yourself in the process of filing a Connecticut homeowners insurance claim because you neglected to check the the close proximity between your grill’s flame and the down spout on your deck, thus causing a small, but damaging fire.