Atlantic Star Safety

BBQs

BBQs can be a lot of fun (especially poolside BBQs!) but not remembering safety rules can really put a damper on things.

A Safe BBQ

You want to have fun at your BBQ and you want your friends to have fun too. That being said, different people should have different "jobs" at BBQs. If you don't know how to run a grill, leave it to someone who does. If kids will be there, make sure someone's keeping an eye on them. (This is especially true if there are kids and a pool.) And speaking of a pool, make sure people don't get too crazy. At some BBQs, there's a lot of drinking. It is fun to drink and take a dip in the pool, but sometimes when people drink, they lose control. Some get very rowdy and rough, which can lead to accidents when everyone is sober. Drinking only intensifies it. Others get really mellow and even pass out when they drink too much. You don't want them to pass out in the pool. Perhaps if your guests have imbibed a little too much, you might suggest moving the party inside or at least to the patio table for a card game or something a little more tame.

Now on to a completely different BBQ topic--food safety. First of all, make sure meat is cooked to the appropriate temperature. (A meat thermometer is a good tool to keep on hand.) Here's a listing:

Hamburgers or other ground meats (including sausages like brats) steak, veal, fish, lamb, shellfish - 155 degrees
Poultry - 165 degrees
Pork - 145 degrees

Other food safety tips to remember at your BBQs:

Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. (Hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees after it's already been cooked. Foods like hot potato salad or baked beans should be kept at 165 degrees.) It's tempting to leave food out in a buffet-style so people can get what they want when they want it, but after awhile of sitting out, food safety becomes an issue.
Don't start to cook meat, then finish cooking it later.
Keep cold foods in a cooler, and keep the cooler out of the sun. Cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or less.

Follow these safety tips and have a good time!