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The braai or barbeque has existed for many years and it is considered a highly sociable activity. Cooking food in the kitchen does not have the same sociable effect as a braai does. Cooking the meat on a braai can be enjoyable but things can easily turn sour if you don’t take the necessary precautions. There are specific safety precautions you must take into consideration when you braai.

A fire can destroy for miles on end; it is one of the most dangerous natural elements of the earth. Whenever you braai you use fire and some people use flammable products to get the fire going. This can potentially start a destructive fire. You should always keep a fire extinguisher on you at all times for if that fire gets out of hand. Especially if you’re in your own backyard, you could potentially lose all your possessions within matter of few minutes. Obtain the fire departments number for incase the fire becomes uncontrollable. There should also be someone that is allocated to watch the fire at all times. As most braais are social, people tend to forget about the fire and in that time the fire can become dangerous.

Meats are a breeding ground for bacteria and if cooked wrong those bacteria may become potential killers. In fact most foods are potentially harmful for a person if it is not prepared in the right way. The primary precaution with food is, once is has become exposed (or taken out of the freezer) then it should be kept cool before it goes on the braai. Bacteria like to breed and form diseases on food that is either at room temperature or higher. Therefore once you have marinated your meat and prepared other foods, put it back into the fridge. People are more likely to get food poisoning than the flu because most people forget about bacteria due to the fact that it’s invisible to the eye. As the saying goes, “out of sight out of mind”.

You would imagine that gas grills are more prone to be hazardous than charcoal fires but actually charcoal fires are the ones you ought to be wary of. It is known that charcoal fires are the most dangerous way of having a braai. The harmful part is lighting the fire. A lot of people use lighter liquid to light a fire and this is exactly what causes a lot of problems. There are better ways to light a fire but most importantly you ought to follow instructions carefully. Many people think lighting a fire is a game because somehow fire is fascinating to some individuals. It sounds quite demeaning but you should handle a fire with respect.

Another precaution is to always clean your braai when you start it. Grease will collect from your previous braais and can spatter. This is very dangerous because grease can reach very high temperatures and can be harmful to you if it spatters onto your body. A clean braai is a safe braai in all aspects. It’s good for protecting your food from bacteria and grease fires.

Having a braai can be an enjoyable experience but if you don’t stick to the right precautions can be lethal. Always be certain you prepare appropriately even if it seems like a hassle.

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