Central PA and backyard BBQs go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly! What summer is complete without being able to spend time with family and friends enjoying the best BBQ of your life while soaking up the warmest weather of the year? Just make sure that, the next time you host one of these popular get-togethers, you’re ready to have safe fun.
Most homeowners spend much more time planning the BBQ menu than thinking about the ins and outs of backyard safety. Lucky for you, we have a backyard safety checklist all ready so you can go down the list, cross off items and feel great about inviting your buddies over for some grilling and chilling!
Backyard Safety Must-Dos Before Your Upcoming BBQ
Well before your steaks ever begin to sizzle and make your neighbors wish they had snagged an invite to your fiesta, you should plan for ultimate safety success by taking these measures:
- Check and re-check the gas grill. You might be surprised that the grill itself, the centerpiece of a backyard BBQ, can be a huge concern. If yours has any flaws, such as leaks in the gas line, it’s time to either get them repaired or buy a new grill.
Be sure to move your grill away from the outside walls of your home. When a grill is positioned too close to the house, the house may catch fire. At the very least, the siding may scorch or melt. Your home owners insurance may not cover this kind of occurrence. - Make sure your lawn mower is out of reach. Lawn mowers are necessary to keep your backyard looking wonderful, but they can be dangerous in the wrong places and hands. Place yours securely in your garage or shed. If you can’t store it somewhere out of sight, at least make sure it’s covered and, if it runs on gas, emptied. This will reduce the chances that little hands at the picnic might be tempted to work it.
- Fill in the holes in your yard. We’re not talking about little dips in the ground. We’re talking about the holes that people could literally break an ankle running through. Make sure they are packed down firmly so no one ends up at the ER instead of staying at the BBQ until the very end.
- Be cautious about any kind of sparklers or fireworks. It’s so exciting to fire up the works and make the sky light up, but never forget that you’re literally playing with fire! Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, not only to property but also to individuals. This is a kind of liability that may be passed over when you’re planning activities for your backyard BBQ.
- Never grill indoors. Were your BBQ plans complicated by rain or excessive wind? Resist the urge to grill indoors. Some grill types, such as charcoal grills, can emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Plus, it’s an enormous safety hazard. Even if you’ve done it before and “gotten away with it,” you need to rethink your decision this year. You just got lucky — and you might not be so lucky again.
- Keep all kids and pets away from the BBQ. The kids will be fascinated, which we understand. And the pets will be lured by the smell of food. However, the BBQ is no place for them to hang out. Create a “no gaze” zone around you when you’re working at the grill. Also, have safe things for the people at your picnic to do to occupy them while you’re grilling, such as playing lawn games like badminton and volleyball.
Above all else, you want your backyard BBQ to be safe and memorable. If you’re not sure your home owners insurance is up to date, or you want to get more coverage before the big event, just give us a call at Strock Insurance if you live in the Harrisburg area. We provide home owners’ insurance for residential customers on both the east and west shores.