Summer’s Here! 4 Tips to Stay Safe During Grilling Season
If you love to barbecue in the California summer sunshine, be sure to safeguard your rental home by taking a few precautions before you start grilling. You should also double check that you have up-to-date, competitive renters’ insurance to protect both your rental and your personal items.
Position the Grill a Good Distance from the Home
Keeping your grill more than 10 feet away from your home, awnings, and patio furniture can help prevent a fire. Cooking with the lid on can also lower the risk of fire.
While charcoal grills are more prone to flare-ups and loose sparks, gas grills can be dangerous as well. And since carbon monoxide poisoning is a potential danger, never barbecue in an enclosed space, such as a garage, even if you leave the door open.
Warn Kids About Dangers
Since California weather only permits barbecuing for a few months out of the year, and it’s an outdoor activity, kids might get overly excited or prone to roughhousing. But children should never be allowed to play near a hot grill. If you have curious kids who want to help, teach them how to cook with the grill off or unlit first. The last thing you want is for a child to get hurt or for an unattended barbecue grill to get knocked over and start a fire near your rental home. So just as you taught your children about the stove, teach them how dangerous the grill can be.
Watch out for Party Distractions
If you enjoy having friends and family over during grilling season, you will need to take a few precautions as the grill master. If grilling will last into the evening hours, keep an eye out for loose clothing that could inadvertently catch on fire.
And while you may want to have a few beers with friends, it’s always wise to wait to start drinking until after food has been prepared, so you can give the grill your full attention. Distractions could lead to flare-ups or fires near your home.
Don’t Forget These Important Post-Barbecue Steps
Though you may be full and tired after a successful barbecue, going through the necessary post-barbecue shut-down steps afterward is critical. Depending on whether your grill is gas or charcoal, don’t forget to turn off the gas supply or ensure that coals have burned all the way down before leaving the back yard. If it’s a hot or windy day, pour water on the coals to put out embers. Also, clear out grease traps and trays below the grill.
If you’re renting a property to others who may use your grill, posting a checklist of steps may come in handy and keep your yard and rental home safe. The National Fire Protection Association offers even more guidance on grilling safety and ways to avoid general outdoor fires and damage to the home.
Renters need to be protected if fire causes damage to a rental home. Renters’ insurance can cover such damages if an accident that a landlord wouldn’t cover occurs. Keep up-to-date renters’ insurance in your corner and follow these grilling safety tips, so you can have a fun, safe California summer.
