Memorial Day weekend is once again upon us, which means many people across the Granite State will fire up their grills for the first time this year.
To celebrate this time-honored tradition, the Propane Gas Association of New England held its sixth-annual Outdoor Living Safety Day on the New Hampshire statehouse lawn on Thursday.
NHPR’s Michael Brindley went there to talk to people about what makes grilling so great and how to make sure it’s done safely.
After helping himself to some of the hot-off-the-grill local cuisine, he filed this audio postcard.
Here's some grilling safety tips, courtesy of the American Red Cross of New Hampshire:
- Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
- Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
- Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
- Trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.
- Wash one’s hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets, stopping to do something with children.