Celebrate National Barbeque Month with Safety and Fun

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - May 1, 2014 - PRLog -- The weather gets warmer and we do more outside. We play more, we do more outside chores, and we eat outside more often. Keeping in mind a few safety tips will go a long way toward ensuring the good food and good times are plenty. Before lighting up this summer, always remember to:

* Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house; the farther away, the better
* Keep decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas away from the grill; they provide fuel for fires. Today's decorations are mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.
* Clean your grill regularly. Allowing grease and fat to build up provides more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.
* Check for gas leaks by using a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. With the grill lid open turn the gas on. If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough. Fix them before using the grill.
* Keep a spray bottle of water and fire extinguisher handy and know when and how to use them.

Grilling is an American tradition. Making outdoor safety a family tradition will ensure Nashville area families enjoy safe grilled meals all summer.

According to the Nolesnville Fire Department, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of fire injuries.  Death due to fires caused by cooking are particularly preventable.  Learn more at http://www.nolensvillefire.com/Safety.htm

By taking a few simple precautionary steps, summer meals can be safe, fun, and delicious. Remembering these few safety tips help protect our family, our memories, and our property values.

About Michele Sliwa: Music City’s Business Woman’s Realtor, Michele Sliwa combines success in the fashion management, event planning, and catering arenas with her experiences as a property manager to guide anyone through the perplexing maze of home building, selling, and buying. While working closely with builders and designers as her house was being built, it became apparent that Michele had an innate ability to understand complex processes and make smart decisions with ease; her builders and designers strongly suggested she become a realtor. Since then, Michele has perfected the art of real estate interpretation and communication and her clients value her ability to manage and clearly explain all of the moving pieces of the buying, selling, and remodeling process. They appreciate the speed at which she translates complicated details quickly in a casual and easily understood manner. Michele successfully completed the  Masters Business Agent program. Michele has the uncanny ability to spot trends in the market before many others do; this unique talent gives her and her clients a distinct edge.  Michele enjoys sketching, writing, horse back riding, and tennis. She is a self-professed foodie and amateur chef. Michele is passionate about art and music and volunteers for the Nashville Symphony. She is also a regular contributor and supporter of arts in education.