It’s that time of year! The sounds of laughter and smells of grilling fill the air, as we spend more time outdoors with family and friends. As we gear up for our Independence Day weekend plans, be aware that bacteria enjoy grilling too! The warm weather is the perfect environment for bacteria to rapidly multiply. Bacteria can lead to food poisoning and cause us to be really sick. Here are helpful tips on how to keep the bacteria and food-borne illness at bay.

• Wash hands with soap and water frequently
• Marinate foods in the refrigerator rather than on the counter top.
• Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood separate from raw produce and prepared foods.
• Do not use the same platter and utensil for raw and cooked meats.
• Cook food thoroughly by using a food thermometer to check.
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Avoid the danger zone of 40F-140F.
• Leftover meat and poultry should be refrigerated promptly (within two hours; one hour if the temperature is above 90F).
• Safely refrigerated leftovers can be eaten up to 3-4 days after cooking.