Thursday, April 25, 2013

Spark Up the Grill With Caution

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

The warm weather is just around the corner, and at Blais Insurance we want to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe all season long. Family barbeques are an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors and we offer the following tips to safeguard against accidents:
  • Keep your grill on a safe, level surface away from your home, garage and anywhere children play.
  • Make sure the valve on your gas grill is completely turned off when not in use, and check for possible leaks in the connections. This can be done using a soap and water mix that will bubble if a leak is present. 
  • Prior to grilling, make certain to protect yourself with flame resistant gloves and an apron. 
  • If you are using a charcoal grill use only proper starter fluids – never gasoline – to ignite a flame. 
  • When disposing of coals remember to soak them in water prior to putting them in the trash. 
  • Always keep children and pets at a safe distance – even when the grill is turned off it remains hot for much longer. 

In the unfortunate event that you or someone on your property receives a minor burn while grilling, run cool water over the area for 10 minutes. If the burn is more serious call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

Ensuring you have the proper levels of insurance is one of the best ways to shield yourself from loss. If you would like more information on keeping your home and property safe from disaster, call Blais Insurance today at 725.0070.