Five Tips for Having a Safe Barbecue in Your Allen Home This Summer

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On Jul 23, 2015
Listed in Allen, Real Estate News

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.

Tip #1: Choose a Safe Location

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:

  • Maintain an adequate distance between the grill and the outside wall of your house
  • Never use a gas or charcoal grill indoors, including in a closed garage, enclosed patio or balcony
  • Choose a level area so the grill won’t tip
  • Keep the grill away from potentially flammable objects such as lawn mowers, cars, gas tanks and compost heaps
  • Keep a clear walking path to the grill and the eating area

Tip #2: Keep a Fire Extinguisher on Hand

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.

Tip #3: Cook the Food Thoroughly

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:

  • White poultry: 180 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Chicken breasts: 170 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Hamburgers made from ground beef: 160 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Ground poultry: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, roast and chops: 145 degrees Fahrenheit

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.

Tip #4: Refrigerate Leftovers

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.

Tip #5: Keep the Bugs Away

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.

If you are interested in hosting a barbecue in your own Allen home, contact our team of knowledgeable real estate experts. We will be happy to help you explore real estate opportunities in the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

Check out these Allen homes priced from $400,000 to $500,000

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