Some states are lifting precautionary COVID restrictions as more people get vaccinated. If your parents are in one of those states, May’s National Barbecue Month may be tempting your family into the first gathering you’ve had in months.
Having a barbecue outside in the sun is a great way to spend time together. Before you gather, make sure you’re keeping an eye on safety.
Set the Grill in a Safe Place
Home Care Services in Pinellas Park FL
The grill you use must be in a safe place. You don’t want children to run and bump into it. If your mom or dad has a hard time balancing, the grill needs to be away from where people will be walking and sitting.
The grill also has to be away from the house or outdoor structures like sheds, garages, and fences. You don’t want to set a structure on fire accidentally. If you’re using a charcoal grill that’s low to the ground, make sure it’s on blocks to keep it from setting the grass on fire. A home care provider can accompany your senior loved one to your family barbeque and make sure they keep a safe distance from the grill and other dangers.
Follow Food Safety Guidelines
Cold foods like potato salad or pasta salad made with mayonnaise need to be kept in a cold location. A refrigerator or a cooler that’s filled with ice are good choices. Do not leave these salads in the sun.
Meats need to be kept on ice, freezer, or in the refrigerator until it’s time to start grilling them. Grill chicken and turkey to 165 F. Packaged hamburgers and other ground meats need to be cooked to 160 F.
Beef, pork, and lamb that are not ground should be cooked to 145 F. Fish and shellfish also need to be cooked to 145 F. Hot dogs, ham, and sausages can be cooked to 140 F, but you may want to go a little higher since your parents are older and digest foods more slowly.
Avoid Insect Pets
Biting flies, mosquitoes, hornets, and wasps can become a nuisance during an outdoor barbecue. You could set up a screened tent to keep them away. It’s easier to use citronella candles and yard sprays to create perimeters they don’t want to cross.
Keep bug sprays on hand. Spray your parents with the repellent if biting flies and mosquitoes are not leaving them alone.
Know the dangerous insects in your area. If you have venomous spiders and other biting insects, make sure people know what to do if they see one or get bitten.
The barbecue is over. Your parents loved socializing, but no one lives close enough to stop by and visit. Hire home care aides to provide companionship. Home care aides stop by for chats, meals, movies, and more. Call to make arrangements.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Home Care Services in Pinellas Park, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
