BBQ SAFTEY FACTS

Barbecue Safety Fact Sheet

Before You Grill

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using your grill. If you have any questions, be sure to call the “help line” to assist you with anything you may need. • Position your grill in an open area away from buildings and high traffic areas. • Check to make sure all parts of your grill are firmly in place and the grill is stable When Grilling • BEFORE lighting the grill, apply non-stick spray on the grates. The protective spray cuts down the clean-up time afterwards. • For charcoal grills, line the bowl with aluminum foil (for easy clean-up). • Wear clothes that do not have hanging shirt tails, frills or apron strings. • Never leave a grill unattended once lit. • Use barbecue utensils with long handles (forks, tongs, etc.) to avoid burns. • Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher handy. If you don’t have a commercial extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby. Consider placing a grill pad or splatter mat beneath your grill to protect your deck or patio from any grease that misses the drip pan. • Never attempt to move a hot grill. It’s easy to stumble or drop it and serious burns could result.

After you Grill

• I f using a gas grill, be sure to turn off the fuel supply and then turn burners to “off.” • Use a wire brush or even crumbled aluminum foil to scrub away buildup on the grates once the grill has cooled. • To clean grate, remove grate and squirt grease-cutting dishwashing detergent (once cool). Scrub with brush or abrasive pad, then rinse. A repeat may be necessary. • For charcoal grills lined with aluminum foil: After grilling, and once the grill and coals are cool (as a rule of thumb, always allow coals to burn out completely and let ashes cool* at least 48 hours before disposing), simply discard the foil with the coals and ash, then wash and reline with foil for next time. Many grillers say they like to barbecue because they consider it a healthy and convenient way to cook. A Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) survey found that nearly half of Americans (45 percent) say grilling is a great way to make a healthy meal while 34 percent say it’s a quick and easy way to make a meal during the week. To ensure that outdoor grilling is even easier, HPBA offers the following tips for your pre, during and post grilling activities: