Grilling Safety by Our Accident Injury Lawyers

For some reason food just tastes better when it is grilled. A hamburger or hot dog right off of the grill is always tasty. While grilling with family and friends, make sure to be safe. Every year, 7,000 Americans are injured while using backyard barbecue grills, according to ABC News. Here are some tips for you to have a safe grilling experience.

Preparing Food

Before you start preparing your food, make sure to wash your hands. Also, make sure to wash your hands after you have touched raw meat. Make sure to completely thaw meat and poultry before grilling so it cooks more evenly, suggests the United States Department of Agriculture. You can thaw the meat in the refrigerator or thaw sealed packages in cold water. Also, you can defrost meat in the microwave if you will place the meat immediately on the grill after thawing it. If you’re going to marinate your food, make sure to marinate it in the refrigerator, recommends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Use one cutting board for raw meat and a separate one for other food. If you can, use a cutting board that can be placed in your dishwasher, recommends the University of California-Davis. Do not use the same platter or utensils that previously held raw meat because bacteria from the raw food’s juices will spread to the cooked food., suggests the FDA. Clean all surfaces where raw meat was handled with soap and water followed by a disinfectant cleaner. You should a use a meat thermometer so you know that your food is properly cooked.

Using Your Grill

Make sure that you keep your grill at least ten feet away from your house, recommends ABC News. Also, clean your grill regularly so grease and fat does not build up on the grill, providing fuel for a potential fire. Keep decorations away from your grill because they could catch on fire. Today’s décor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, according to ABC News. You should keep a spray bottle of water near you in case there’s a flare-up. Always turn the gas on while your grill lid is open. If you turn your grill on with the grill lid closed, gases build up inside your grill, so when you light it a fireball can explode in your face, according to ABC News.

If you or a family member or friend have suffered an injury, call the Chicago Lawyers of Stein & Shulman LLC to obtain compensation for your injury. Call our office for a consultation so we can discuss your rights and how best to handle your injury claim. There is no charge for speaking with one of our experienced attorneys so call us at 312.422.0500.