BBQ Safety Tips for the Summer
No doubt with the recent spell of hot weather you might have dusted off the BBQ? But did you follow best practise BBQ Safety guidelines? We don’t want to put a dampener on your sunny spirits but take on board our 5 BBQ Food and Health & Safety tips and you’re ready for a summer of perfect poison-and-burn-free barbecuing.
Barbecue by Declan Rex
1. Respect the fire
Always ensure someone is guarding and attending to the BBQ, especially if children are present. Make sure there is adequate space around the BBQ. Have water or sand nearby if you need to put out a fire quickly. Don’t leave, move or dispose of the BBQ (or ashes) until everything has completely cooled down. Never use a BBQ inside or bring it inside after cooking. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning.
2. Know your BBQ
Make sure you read the operating instructions and check your BBQ is working properly, especially if it is gas. If you are not sure don’t use it.
3. Keep things clean
Wash your hands using antibacterial soap before you start and during cooking, especially after touching raw meat and fish. Use separate clean chopping boards for meat, fish and vegetables. Wash down and wipe your BBQ before and after use with an anti-bacterial cleaner.
4. Wash food
You don’t need to wash raw meat and fish but do wash salad and vegetables. Peeling and cooking your vegetables properly will help remove any germs that still exist.
5. Cook properly
Make sure all meat is cooked through properly. You may want to consider pre-cooking higher risk meats such as poultry and pork. Burgers are not the same as steak, they need to be cooked thoroughly. Cut into foods to check they are fully cooked all the way through. Check there is no pink meat and juices are running clear. To be ultra-safe use a meat thermometer.
I hope you’ve found these tips useful? Let’s hope this sunny spell continues for the rest of the summer.
Happy, and safe, barbequeing!
Matt
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