Go Camping – Life’s An Adventure

For many campers, charcoal or gas grilling is one the best ways to cook.

But it’s important to be careful and to use common sense when grilling (both at home and while camping) to avoid injuires and damage to property.

Consider these facts:
According to the U.S. fire administartion, grill fires cause almost $27 million dollars in property losses every year.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that approximately 600 gas grill fires or explosions are reported every year with injuries occuring about 5 percent of the time.
Every year about 30 people die and 100 people are injured from carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis that were used inside.

This doesn’t mean you have to sell or give away your charcoal or gas grill and put away your favorite burger flipper to avoid becoming one of these statistics. But, you do need to remember to follow some basic safety tips to ensure safe and enjoyable grilling.

CHARCOAL GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
Never Use A Charcoal Grill:
– Inside a tent
– Inside a camper
– Inside a vehicle
– Inside a home
– Inside a garage
– Inside any temporary or permanent structure.
The only safe place to grill is OUTSIDE. Yes, these seems like basic common sense but many people fail to follow this basic rule every year and are hurt or killed as a result.

Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes while grilling

If your hair is long, tie it back to avoid having it accidentally catch on fire

Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.

Set up the grill on level ground several feet away from your tent, camper, house, garage, etc.

Never leave a hot grill unattended.

Keep children and pets away from a hot grill. Burns are the most common injury from grills.

Don’t add lighter fluid to coals that are already burning (something I’ve seen people do way too often – how they managed to not singe off their eyebrows is beyond me)

Never use gasoline or kerosene to light charcoal. Not only is it dangerous but it will add a bad taste to your food.

GAS GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
Never Use A Gas Grill:
– Inside a tent
– Inside a camper
– Inside a vehicle
– Inside a home
– Inside a garage
– Inside any temporary or permanent structure.
The only safe place to grill is OUTSIDE.

Frequently check hoses for cracking, holes, leaks or brittleness. If you find a leak, turn off the gas and find an alternate way to cook until the leak is fixed.

Make sure all tubes leading into the burner are not blocked by grease or insects.

Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If keeping them away from hot surfaces is impossible, install a heat shield to protect them.

Keep propane gas containers upright.

Don’t store or use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) near the grill.

Never store a filled propane container in a car trunk or inside a hot car. The gas will expand in the heat and could escape through the relief valve.

Always keeps children and pets away from a hot grill.

Keeping these tips in mind will help to make sure all your grilling, whether it’s done at home or while on a camping trip, will result in the only burns and injuries occurring to those burgers you overcooked yet again.

If you’re going to be in the New York area this year, stop by the Museum of Modern Art at 11 West 53 Street and check out the 1963 Airstream Bambi that’s on display in the museum lobby until November 12, 2007.

The display of the vintage Airstream travel trailer is the museum’s way of celebrating its recent aquisition of it as part of the museum’s permanent collection. The distinctive shape and color of the Airstream has made it a cultural icon, making it a welcome addition to the museum’s collection.

The display also includes some travel and automobile posters from the museum’s collection.

If you really like the Bambi Airstream, you can become the owner of one. Airstream is manufacturing a 75th anniversary edition of the Bambi Airstream this year. The base MSRP starts at around $31,000.

One of the foods we always take camping are peanuts in the shell. Over the years we’ve had some pretty bad peanuts. You wouldn’t think that anyone could goof up salted peanuts in the shell, but it happens.

But, that being said, I have found great peanuts in the shell that have not only become the favorite in my family, but the favorite of anyone who camps with us and tries them.

They are Hoody’s salted peanuts in the shell. They have a great flavor and never taste stale. They come in a red bag and can be found at Holiday Stores and at most Costco stores. They can also be ordered online at Original Nut House.

And, they’re reasonable. At the time I’m writing this, a five pound bag is $5.12 on the website, not including shipping.

So the next time you go camping, pick up some Hoody’s peanuts and give them a try.