Look at that! It is almost the Fourth of July, one of the best holidays of the year. Happy almost Independence Day to you all! I am sure that everyone has exciting plans for this weekend whether it is spending the whole day at the beach, in your own backyard with people you like or watching the Fourth parades cause chaos in the streets. Even though, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the day, more than half of Americans, around 57% plan to grill out for the holiday weekend every year. That is over 74 million Americans that choose to grill outside.
The most popular foods that are grilled for the Fourth of July are burgers (85%), steak (80%), hot dogs (79%), and chicken (73%), according to a survey conducted in 2013 by the National Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. Isn’t it absolutely crazy that the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that every Fourth, around 150 million hot dogs are consumed in the United States? Honestly, it is completely understandable because the Fourth of July and grilling hot dogs just makes sense together, it is the best combination. Can you tell that I love hot dogs?
Although it is an incredibly fun way to celebrate this day with friends and family, grilling can also be a very dangerous activity if not properly executed just like if you choose to have fireworks. I recommend against fireworks unless it is part of a celebration put on by the professionals, but I cannot stop you from doing what you want 😊. The National Fire Protection Association reports that July ranks number one for the most active month for grill fires, so they suggested some safety tips to remember when grilling:
- Check the gas tank hose before using it.
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from objects such as your house, trees and outdoor seating.
- Grill outside on a flat surface, and do not bring the grill into an unventilated or enclosed space.
- Only use starter fluid with charcoal grills—never with gas grills.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grilling area.
- Please do not leave your grill unattended, as fires can double in size every minute.
- Clean the grill after using it to remove grease and fat buildup.
With these safety suggestions and interesting statistics about food in mind, I hope you all have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July weekend!!
