Get Your Grill on This Summer—The Safe Way | Trusted American Mortgage

You recently purchased a new home with a beautiful outdoor space. You’re all moved in now, finally, even though a few boxes still remain.

What’s next? It’s time to fire up the grill and take advantage of that patio!

When the summer heat is on and the kids are out of school, time spent outdoors can be the best. But if you’re getting ready for a barbecue, let’s be sure you’re set up for success—and safety.

Design Your Grilling Space Carefully

When you’re deciding on where your grill or smoker will go, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Because the appliance is a heating device, it’s essential to keep it away from anything flammable. That includes your house.

Experts recommend using three feet as your rule of thumb. Your grill should be placed at least three feet away from the side of your house, the deck rails and other potentially flammable parts of the structure. You also need a three-feet “safe zone” where kids and pets aren’t allowed.

Clean It Up After Use

While it may seem less important to wipe up grease after you cook outdoors than it is when it’s in clear sight in the kitchen, it may actually be more important.

That’s because grease and fat left behind on the grill can build up and harden, eventually becoming a potential fire hazard. (If your house is in an area with wildlife nearby, the smell of grease left behind can also be enticing for animals you don’t want in or near your home!)

Use Propane Carefully

If your grill uses propane, be extra careful. Propane tanks and the hoses connecting them to your grill can easily leak.

Check your grill regularly for signs of a propane leak. If you smell propane when there’s no flame, that’s a sign to have the grill checked by a professional before further use. But you can also check the gas tank hose by applying soap and water to the hose. If there’s a leak, bubbles will appear. Turn off the gas tank and the grill and do not use it until the problem is fixed.

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