During the summer, the warm weather makes it easy for you to heat your grill and cook your favorite food outside. Not only is it tasty, but it can also save you the discomfort of heating your home (and paying a higher HVAC bill triggered by the extra cooling costs).   Ribs, chicken, burgers and vegetables all taste especially flavorful when grilled on a beautiful sunny day, and grilling is a great time to gather family and friends and spend some time together. This is a great way to socialize while still abiding by social distancing precautions that continue to affect multiple parts of the country. Still, grilling is as risky as any other type of cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to nearly 9,000 residential fires caused by gas or charcoal barbecues between 2007 and 2011. But, if you are aware of the risks, you can go a long way towards keeping your family safe. Always keep these safety tips in mind while grilling up your favorites. Only use the grill outdoors. Don’t feel tempted to bring the grill indoors during bad weather. Keep the grill clean. The build-up of grease drippings or charred materials may cause fire flare-ups that can quickly get out of control. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Make sure it is rated for grease fires. Sand or baking soda will also snuff out a fire. Keep the grill out of a high-traffic area. People and children may walk too close, not knowing that the grill is hot. Grills should also not be near any structures or deck railings. Look up and make sure there are no eaves or overhanging branches directly overhead. Do not operate the grill with loose clothing. Hanging sleeves and apron strings are especially dangerous. For a gas grill, check lines periodically with soapy water for any leaks. If the fire ever goes out while you are cooking, open the lid and let any leaked gas dissipate for five minutes before re-lighting. Use lighter fluid sparingly and cautiously. Charcoal chimney starters are a safer way to heat up charcoal. Remember grills hold heat for a long time. Gas grills can stay hot an hour after you turn them off, and charcoal for several hours. Dispose of charcoal in a metal container after it cools. Grilling season is often accompanied by backyard fun and relaxation, but don’t get distracted from your task while cooking outdoors. Keep these tips in mind to keep your home and family safe, and while you’re at it, review your homeowners insurance. Make certain that your policy will always have the appropriate benefits in place if a problem occurs. Call us today at (915) 599-2900 or visit www.MtFranklin.com to see how we can help you.

10 Grilling Tips to Keep Your Home and Family Safe

During the summer, the warm weather makes it easy for you to heat your grill and cook your favorite food outside. Not only is it tasty, but it can also save you the discomfort of heating your home (and paying a higher HVAC bill triggered by the extra cooling costs).   Ribs, chicken, burgers and … Read more

August 10, 2021

Driving in Extreme Weather?

Driving is dangerous at all times of the day or night, no matter what the weather might be. Still, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that roughly 21% of all vehicle crashes in the U.S. occur in adverse weather conditions. Plus, between 2007 and 2016, more than 5,300 people were killed in weather-related crashes, which accounted for … Read more

August 5, 2021

An Uninsured Drive Hit Your Vehicle – Now What?

Being in an accident is one of the most worrisome of situations. You worry about your safety and that of others with you. Then you worry about the condition of your car. You also worry about the other driver.     In situations like this, auto insurance is there to help. Sometimes, the other driver … Read more

July 29, 2021

FAQs of First-time Life Insurance Buyers

If you have never bought life insurance before, then the process might seem like a challenge. For help, consider frequently-asked questions those in your position often ask.   1. What is life insurance? Life insurance will pay out an amount of money if a person, whose life the policy insures, dies. The sum it will … Read more

July 27, 2021

3 Home Improvement Projects that Can Lower Your Home Insurance Premiums

3 Home Improvement Projects that Can Lower Your Home Insurance Premiums  A home is the largest purchase most Americans will ever make. They want to protect it and their belongings in the event of an unpreventable disaster. This is why most people carry homeowners’ insurance.         Yet, having full coverage does not … Read more

July 22, 2021

An Explanation of the Certificate of Insurance and why It is so Important

A certificate of insurance matters a great deal in the business insurance industry. Sometimes referred to as proof of business insurance, this certificate is a snapshot of a company’s current insurance policies. Customers, vendors and landlords commonly request to see a business’ certificate of insurance.     This document helps such parties verify the business … Read more

July 20, 2021

3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Let Your Auto Insurance Lapse

Although we are in an economic recovery, money can be a bit tight. But even in these situations, it’s important that you pay your auto insurance premium. There are severe consequences of driving without auto insurance.     It’s Illegal When you own a vehicle, maintaining at least the minimum auto insurance is a requirement. … Read more

July 15, 2021

How Business Insurance Premiums are affected by Business Practices.

In your efforts to obtain the best insurance policies for your business, a major concern might be the premium you will have to pay. Insurance companies use many factors when calculating your premium, including claims history and the risk associated with your business. Let’s look at a few ways business insurance premiums are affected by … Read more

July 13, 2021

Increase Your Home Security with These Tips

Home break-ins are all too common, especially during the daytime on weekdays when most people are away at their jobs. Home break-ins are also most frequent during the warm months of the year. However, many break-ins are preventable by increasing your home security. Use these tips to protect your property.     Install a Home … Read more

July 8, 2021

Practical Ways to Reduce Healthcare Costs

Increasing healthcare costs have most people concerned about keeping expenses low, even leading some to pass up health insurance because they think they cannot afford it. Under the Affordable Care Act, everyone must purchase healthcare coverage or risk paying a fine to the government. Truth is, even if you have to pinch pennies for a … Read more

July 6, 2021

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