Be woken up in the morning by the first warm rays of sunshine and the gentle chirping of the birds and sit on the terrace in the evening in mild temperatures and be happy that barbecue weather is finally back again. Spring is here again and with it the barbecue season has reopened, for which many have been eagerly awaited. But barbecuing is not a harmless pleasure. Every year, the German Society for Burn Medicine counts between 4,000 and 4,500 injuries caused by the summer hobby. In this article, the protection professionals show how to get through the barbecue season safely.
Safe grilling – The grill must be stable
Safety when grilling starts with the choice of place. From scratch, barbecues should only be held in the open air, according to the Hanover fire department. In addition, care must be taken to ensure a fireproof surface. Barbecuing at the edge of the forest should be avoided as a matter of principle. It is also important to keep a safety distance of at least two to three meters from all flammable materials in the area.
Safe grilling – Lighting the fire properly
As soon as the grill is set up in a fireproof environment to prevent it from tipping, it is also time to light the grill. It is easy for those who have a gas grill. However, if you grill traditionally with charcoal, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, liquid lighters should be avoided, because if you treat coal directly with alcohol or the like, you expose yourself to an increased risk of a flash flame or deflagration. Under certain circumstances, this situation can be life-threatening. Rather, you should rely on approved, fixed lighters.
"Lighting the grill with a hair dryer is nevertheless not a good idea. You can be sure that the sparks are just flying, but something like this can really go into the eye and lead to serious injuries."
Safe grilling – always keep an eye on the fire
Once the fire burns, it should not be assumed that all risks are over. It should be noted that a fire should never be left unattended. Children should be kept away from the barbecue and should not play in the immediate vicinity of the fire. In addition, the fire brigade advises fulfilling the role model function when barbecuing. For example, the flame should be handled with particular care in the presence of children and appropriate protection should be worn when handling the glowing coal - gloves and aprons are a must.
Safe grilling – Extinguishing the flame safely
If the wind becomes strong enough to cause flying sparks, the flame must be extinguished as quickly as possible. No water should be used for this, as this would evaporate abruptly and there would be a risk of scalding. Once the fire is out, care should be taken not to dispose of the hot ash on the compost heap or in garbage containers. The coal needs its time to cool down. The protection professionals recommend waiting until the next day to dispose of the ash to make sure that the last bit of embers has gone out.
Safe grilling – the protection professionals
The barbecue season is the most beautiful season. The protection professionals call for more mindful barbecuing so that dangerous situations can be avoided and risks can be reduced when barbecuing.