Did you know that an average of 9,600 home fires each year are caused by grilling? That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association. It sure is scary, but to keep yourself, your family and your home safe, you should always take the necessary precautions every time you have a barbecue session.
It’s also important that your children and everyone in the house learn all about grill safety. These important grilling safety tips for kids will help keep everyone safe:
Answer your children’s questions
Since you’ll often be seen working on the grill while the family is out in the backyard, it’s only natural for kids to be curious about the grill. When the grill is off, take the time to show how it works. It’s also the perfect time to explain fire safety!
Have a Fire Safety Talk
It is crucial that everyone in your home, especially children, know about fire safety. You must be adamant that fire is dangerous and should never be played with. This is especially important if you are always grilling and children constantly see fire in your grill. If they ever catch fire, they should know how to stop, drop and roll.
Make sure to turn off the heat completely even when you’re done cooking. Remind children to stay away from the grill because it can still be very hot and they can burn themselves.
Create a barbecue-only area
This area must be an adults only area, no children can enter or approach the area for safety. For added fun and to help children understand the rules better, have them draw a border around the barbecue area with colored chalk (about 3 feet on all sides).
Baby-proof your grill
Sure, heat and fire are dangerous for children, but the grill itself is not an ideal place for children to be around. Most grills are metal and have jagged edges, as well as sharp, pointed protrusions, which present bump, cut, or scratch hazards.
It is important to baby-proof your grill when you have children running around the yard, even if they are not allowed near the grill when you are cooking. Use furniture corner pads or tape to cover particularly sharp edges or any dangerous parts.
Keep the fire burning in your grill – just be sure to follow these important child safety tips!
