Having a summer barbecue is a great way to spend time with friends and family. At the same time, a summer barbecue can be dangerous if you do not implement proper precautions. Therefore, if you are planning to host a barbecue at your home, here are a few safety tips you should keep in mind.
Choosing a safe location is one of the most important aspects of having a safe barbecue. Some things to keep in mind when choosing a location include:
You never know when the fire in your grill will get out of hand, so keep a fire extinguisher with you so you can put out any fires that may occur. Also, if there are children around, make sure they are kept away from the grill and its hot surfaces.
Failure to cook food to a safe internal temperature can result in illness due to bacterial infection. Therefore, you should not simply rely on the way it looks on the outside to determine if it is done cooking. Instead, you should use a thermometer to check the temperature. The internal temperatures for specific meats should be as follows:
In addition to making sure your meat is cooked to the proper temperature, you should avoid contamination by handling raw meat carefully. Make sure you keep your meat separate from other foods and never ruse a plate that was used to hold raw meat. Wash your hands in warm, soapy water every time you handle raw meat.
If the outside temperature is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure you do not allow the food to sit out for more than one hour. Use shallow containers to promptly refrigerate leftovers and discard any food that has been sitting out for more than two hours in weather less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bugs can also be a problem at a barbecue, so keep sweets drinks and foods covered in order to keep them away. Try to eat while it is still light outside in order to avoid mosquitoes and use insect repellent, citronella candles or torches and mosquito coils to further help keep the bugs at bay.
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