Residents of the Sunshine State can enjoy hosting in their outdoor spaces year-round. Whether you are planning a backyard bbq, a family reunion, or an evening under the stars, here are a few tips to make sure that your backyard celebrations aren’t interrupted by avoidable safety hazards.

Grilling

Grilling is a great way to prepare food outdoors for your guests. Unfortunately, operating an outdoor grill can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. When your grill is in use, place it away from your home, deck railing, eaves, awnings, and low-hanging branches, as this can be a fire hazard. When grilling, it is important to keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill, and never leave it unattended. When not in use, keep your grill clean to avoid the flammable build-up of grease and fat. 

While awning owners can keep their guests up to 20 degrees cooler and protect their food, they can’t operate the grill under their awning. There needs to be a 10 ft. vertical clearance between a grill and an awning, so we always advise that you distance your grill accordingly. If you don’t want to move your grill out from under your retractable awning, you can always retract it till you are finished cooking.

Heaters and Fire Pits

On cooler nights, having outdoor heaters available to your guests can help create a cozy atmosphere. Patio heaters are a safe way to warm up your outdoor spaces, even under your retractable awning. Having fire pits for warming up or making smores is also a fun way to celebrate outdoors in the evening. Remember to place your fire at least 10 feet away from any structures on your property. If possible, avoid using softwoods like cedar and pine, as these cause pops and sparks in your fire. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away and we recommend keeping a bucket of water, garden hose, or fire extinguisher nearby while you enjoy your fire. 

Sun Safety

Living in the Sunshine State has its perks, but Floridians often get exposed to far more UV rays. UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation from the sun that can cause sunburns and, over time, even skin cancer. The UV rays tend to be the strongest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When the UV index is 3 or higher, we recommend that you and your guests use sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses when out in direct sunlight. If possible, host your outdoor celebrations in the shade. Retractable awnings block 94% of those harmful UV rays, and allow you to safely enjoy outdoor celebrations without damaging your skin. Even the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends awnings for protection! 

Floridians can enjoy the great outdoors year-round, especially if they own a retractable awning. Retractable awnings add value to your home, look great, and protect your family and guests from harsh UV rays. If you are interested in making this investment for your home call Florida’s #1 awning provider and installer, Awning Authority. For over ten years we have been helping residents in the Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, Leesburg, and the surrounding areas to create the outdoor space of their dreams! Contact us today to schedule a free demonstration.