Summer is here, and backyard barbeque season is in full swing. Great food and great friends are all that is needed for a great barbeque, right? Think again. There are several little things that can really put a damper on the fun. Make it a point to take note of a few small details that can potentially ruin the party.
Lack of Shade - No Fun in the Sweltering Sun
Depending on where you live, you may have a lack of shade at key times of day, leaving your guests to roast in the midday sun. If sweltering heat isn't uncomfortable enough, a nasty sunburn will stay with your guests long after they go home. Place a picnic table or lounge chair arrangement under a shady tree so your guests can mingle in the shade if they choose. If you do not have adequate shade in your lawn, purchase a gazebo-type sun shelter, or rent a tent for your party. Rental prices vary by region, but are generally quite reasonable, and the rental agencies typically take care of set up and tear down so you don't have to .
Also, consider placing a few bottles of sunscreen out in strategic areas for your guests to use if they wish. The incidence of melanoma is on the rise, and more and more people are taking better care of their skin, including using sunscreen when needed. A bottle on the picnic table, by the pool, and another on the bathroom counter will do the trick.
Man's Best Friend, or Unruly Pets at the Party?
No matter how well behaved your pets are, unexpected things can happen when you have a large group of people in your home whom your pets are not familiar with. What if one of your co-worker's children accidentally lets your new baby kitten outside? Your guests likely will not enjoy canvassing the neighborhood trying to find Fluffy. How do you explain your rottweiller's need to inspect everyone's "inseam" thoroughly? That would be intimidating for some, and just plain awkward for all. Will your pet steal treats right out of small children's hands? Children tend to cry loudly when this happens.
Plan to keep your pets comfortably restrained during your gathering. Cats can be closed into an unused bedroom as long as water is available. Dogs can be gated into a part of the home not to be used by guests - say the garage, basement, or the upstairs. Remember to provide water and leashed walks as required. If you happen to have rather misbehaved dogs, consider sending them to a family member's home or to a dogsitter for a few hours.
Foodborne Illness - Not the Life of the Party
No one likes to think about food-borne illness. Just the words "food poisoning" make people cringe. Outdoor summertime parties, however, can be a party for bacteria as well. No matter how clean your kitchen is or how carefully you cook your food, bacteria can still ruin your party and make your guests sick. Here's a few food safety tips:
- The danger zone for prepared foods is 41 to141 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep cold foods on ice and keep hot foods hot with a warmer.
- Instead of putting out large bowls of food, serve smaller portions and refresh with new dishes periodically.
- Use a probe thermometer to check temperatures at least every two hours.
- Discard uneaten food. Don't save leftovers or send them home with guests.
- Prevent cross-contamination. Keep plates, platters, utensils and knives used for raw foods completely separate from those used for cooked foods.
Don't Invite Insects to your Barbeque
Take a few minutes to inspect your home and backyard the week before your barbeque. Look especially for any source of standing water, a source of mosquitos, and for bee's nests. Remove and /or spray any areas where bees are living, as some people are very allergic to bee stings.
Walk through the lawn, keeping an eye out for anthills. Some gentle insecticide can make all the difference between a really fun party and ants on your watermelon. Citronella candles are a good idea as well, even while it's light out.
Protect Your Guests with Some Basic First Aid Supplies
Be sure to have some basic first aid items on hand for the inevitable little accidents and minor injuries. If there will be kids at the barbeque, you can bet on using at least a few bandaids. A bottle of water-based burn gel or spray is also good to have on hand when you're cooking on the grill. Ibuprofen and antacid tablets are a must - everyone has more fun if no one has heartburn or a headache.
Diphenhydramine tablets are a good idea just in case someone does end up getting stung by a bee. Bug spray is kind of unpleasant, but if there are biting insects that you can't avoid, protection is best.
By taking a look at your backyard barbeque from your guests' viewpoint, you can anticipate and prevent any potential party problems so that everyone, including you, can relax and have a great time. Infusing some common sense safety into your backyard event will make your party really shine.
Never Allow Drinking and Driving
Last but definitely not least, friends never let friends drive drunk. Be sure to call a cab for anyone who may need one, or show them to the guest room. Don't let a tragedy punctuate your party.
Leigh VanDeWalker - Meet Leigh VanDeWalker: Leigh is a wife, a working mother, a food and nutrition expert, a malignant melanoma survivor, a grandmother, a ...
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