WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Summer is well underway and barbecue pits across the Miami Valley have filled the air with the sweet smell of hickory, mesquite and cherry wood smoke.
Is there anything better than running a barbecue pit or grill on a sunny summer weekend? While barbecue makes the world turn in the summer, keep in mind, there are safety precautions you should take into account before firing up your home pit.
If you’re using a propane grill, ensure you conduct an inspection at the beginning of the season to verify there are no gas line leaks. When selecting a location to run your pit, choose an outdoor area that’s well-ventilated and away from shrubbery and combustible materials. Same goes for pellet or electric smokers – they should be operated outside in a well-ventilated area or under a covered patio.
As for lighting your pit, make sure that you’re using lighter fluid that’s designed for your grill, and under no circumstance should you use flammables such as gasoline or kerosene to light. Also, lighter fluid should be saturated on coals before ignition; never spray lighter fluid on lit or hot coals.
Last but not least, while running your pit, never leave it unattended and always have a fire extinguisher readily available. Now that you’ve got a few barbecue safety tips in hand, it’s time to fire up your pit and refine your craft.
For more safety tips contact 445th Airlift Wing Safety Office (937)-257-5767.