Tag: Extreme Heat

What you Should Know about Calcium Chloride

When you hear the word calcium chloride what comes into your mind? Probably, you will say that just like other calcium compounds, it is used as an active ingredient on dietary supplements.

However, it is wrong.

Calcium chloride is not advisable to be used as an active ingredient in dietary supplements because of the presence of the element chlorine, which is one of the integral parts of the chemical compound apart from calcium. Instead, it is used on other applications that will be discussed on the later part of this article. But for the mean time, let us first discuss how calcium chloride is prepared.

Preparation of Calcium Chloride

This chemical compound is a by-product of the so-called Solvay process, or also known as the ammonia-soda process. It is a major industrial process employed in producing calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate is reacted with hydrochloric acid, thus producing calcium chloride.

Application

There are millions of tonnes of calcium chloride that are produced in United States alone. It has different applications which are as follows:

Since calcium chloride is hygroscopic (substances that readily absorbs water from its environment), it can be utilized to dry air and other gases as well. The process involves the conversion of calcium chloride into brine as it absorbs either water or water vapor from the gases that need to be dried.

Because of the extreme heat involved during the compounds dissolution, calcium chloride also acts as an ice-melting compound. It is quite harmless on soil and plants compared to sodium chloride. When used for this purpose, it is now of small white balls which are of few millimeters in diameter which is known as prills.

It is also mixed up with concrete in order to strengthen its mixture as well as to help fast track the initial settings. However, it is not advisable to be used on reinforced concrete since the compound contains chloride ion which is corrosive to steel bars.

It is also employed on minimizing dust on several highways. Its hydroscopic characteristic keeps the liquid layer on the highways surface, which in return holds the dust.

It is also act as an additive in manufacturing of plastics.

It is also employed for waste water treatment as a drainage aid.

Its aqueous form is utilized on the cells genetic transformation by enhancing the permeability of the cell membrane. Such process permits DNA fragments to enter the cell.

There are several precautions with regards to exposure on calcium chloride. Since it also contains acidic properties, you must always use goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands. Avoid inhaling it or taking it directly into your mouth. Once reacted with water, it can burn your mouth as well as your esophagus.

Grilling Outdoors The Safe Way

Keep It Safe

Because outdoor grilling is undoubtedly fun and enjoyable for everyone, a lot of people fail to see the importance of outdoor grilling safety and the dangers that outdoor grilling can impose to a lot of people involved in it. They are not aware that simple outdoor grills have caused a lot of sever accidents, some of them being even fatal, a lot of structure fires and a lot of outdoor fires. This is very contrary to the common image of outdoor grilling which is supposed to be fun for everyone.

However, these disasters would only happen if concerned people fail to abide by some outdoor grilling safety methods, these of which are considerably very simple and basic for every person who has grilled. So for you to get more in depth with those outdoor safety guidelines and what they can do for you, here are some important things you should do every time you grill outdoors.

The Grilling Area

Make sure that your outdoor grill has its exclusive area in the backyard and would not share it with other items especially those that could catch fire easily such as the house itself, paper, bushes, trees, shrubs and long grass. That designated outdoor grilling area should also be a no play zone for kids and pets especially while you are grilling or while it is still hot. Make sure that the kids and the pets do not go near the grill at all times as they may do a lot of things with it that could cause dangers.

Also make sure that the grill is not near any electric wires, devices or plugs as exposing these objects to extreme heat could make them explode and cause fires. One of the most basic guideline for the grilling area is never to have it indoors, it is called an outdoor grill because the name itself already spells out where it should be place, forcing it indoors could also cause a lot of accidents.

The Grill Itself

It is very important to check how the grill is every time before you start grilling. You have to make sure that it is completely safe to avoid accidents. If you are using a gas-powered grill, make sure to check that there are no leaks in the pipe and never do this with the use of a match as it can make the tank explode. Take note that gas tanks are very sensitive when it comes to fire so you should be extra careful with it.

Also check that the grill stands firmly on the ground, especially if you have one that stands on 4 legs. This is very important as you do not want the grill to later topple over and cause a lot of accidents later on. Make sure that you only start a fire if the grill itself is ready and is safe enough.

More Guidelines

When you are grilling, you have to be focused on it. That is you should never leave the grill while the fire is on and especially when there are items on top of the grill. Aside from having your steak burnt, there are a lot of things that could happen if you dont watch the grill carefully. It would also be much safer if you had a fire extinguisher on stand by at all times as well as access to call emergency. You will never know what could happen so you might as well be prepared.

Safety Guidelines For Outdoor Grilling

The Importance Of Safety

We have to be always safe when we are grilling outdoors. It might by quite unlikely but a lot of serious injuries, deaths, structure fires and even outdoor fires have been caused just because some people do not follow or are concerned about outdoor grilling safety, these of which are quite very basic and are very easy to follow. Considering what disasters grilling could cause, we must be more aware of safety tips when it comes to grilling outdoors.

You must first be aware that grilling involves the use of a lot of fire and you should know what fire can do. You should also be aware of the safety guidelines for your grill which is most likely already provided in the manual, make sure to read it even before using it. Being safe in the grill will not only help prevent injuries but would also make grilling more enjoyable for you and the whole family.

The Grilling Area

The outdoor grilling area should be designated for the barbecue alone and not anything else. Make sure you set aside a safe place for it, that it should away from everything that could catch fire easily such as the house itself, paper materials, laundry, herbs, bushes and shrubs. Also make sure that the kids and the pets stay away from the grill until it has cooled off completely. Make the grilling area a no play zone especially when you are grilling.

Also make sure that the grill is away from all outlets or wires as these can react in a violent manner when exposed to extreme heat. Take note that it is an outdoor grill and it should only be used outdoors and never indoors. Aside from the smoke being inside your house and polluting everything inside, having it indoors would also impose a lot of potential dangers of which you would of course want to avoid. Following outdoor grilling safety requisites are very important so make sure to take them seriously.

The Grill Itself

Every time you start a grill, you always have to check it for things that might cause accidents. Before starting a fire, make sure that there are no leaks in the gas tank if you are using a gas-powered grill. You can check this by just looking at it, do not ever try to test leaks by the use of a match as this can ignite the whole thing and could make the tank explode. Make sure that you only start the fire if you have checked the grill thoroughly.

Also make sure the grill is standing stable. Check the legs and make sure that they are not too shaky and are standing firmly on the ground. Having the grill toppling over while the fire is one can cause a lot of serious cases so you have to make sure that you follow this guideline carefully. Also double check for items that could catch fire near the grill and make sure that the area is completely safe. Only start grilling if everything seems safe.

Other Safety Guidelines

For outdoor grilling safety, you must not leave the grill turned on at all times. Make sure that you are focused on grilling and not do anything else when doing so. Also make sure that you have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kid always ready. You will never know what happens so you have to be ready just in case something happens.

The grill is a fun and a good opportunity for you to share with your family so you should always make sure that everything is safe when you are grilling outdoors.