Grill Burgers, Not Your Home
July is National Grilling Month and the perfect time for gathering friends and family to have a cookout in the backyard. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is encouraging everyone to keep safety in mind while firing up one of America's favorite foods.
July is the peak month for fires and an average 8,900 home fires involve grills, hibachis or barbeques, so here are some helpful tips to make sure your home is not one of them!
1. Make sure to clean your grill and cooking tools thoroughly before each use,
2. Never leave the grill unattended,
3. Place your grill away from the house, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches, and
4. Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
"These are simple steps homeowners can follow in order to prevent grill fires and injuries," said Steve Greeley, a liability lawyer with Franks Gerkin McKenna (FGM) Law in Marengo. The summer is the perfect time to cook outdoors and have family time, but we want our community to be safe while doing it."
Deck safety is another important factor when it comes to outdoor cooking. The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) says to look for safety hazards to avoid liabilities. "A loose board, rotted footing or weak railing can be a liability nightmare for a homeowner," Greeley commented.
Unfortunately, it happens all too often when a backyard cookout becomes a lengthy legal battle when a visitor has an accident and then has mounting medical bills. Greeley indicated that when people are faced with financial strain they look for as many avenues of relief as possible.
"A homeowner, and specifically their insurance policy, becomes a viable avenue for such relief."
It is always a good idea to take the time to review your homeowner's policy before an accident happens. Many personal Injury attorneys can help in weeding through the gritty details that are contained in the 'fine print' of those documents. So, throughout National Grilling Month use the time to enjoy the warmth that summer has to bring and the memories that come with it. Just make sure you take the steps necessary to ensure the grill is the only thing that is getting fired up.