Food safety 101 for your summer cookouts

Whether you're tailgating, spending a day at the park, or hosting a family reunion, it'll be helpful to remember these food safety tips.

Transcript

00:00Spring and summer bring friends, food, and plenty of outdoor fun.

00:04But if you're not careful, what you're serving up could send someone home sick.

00:08As much as we love the summer weather and the warm weather,

00:11so do bacteria that cause foodborne illness,

00:13and they actually multiply faster the warmer the temperature is.

00:17Experts say perishable foods should never sit out for more than two hours,

00:21or just one hour if temperatures top 90 degrees.

00:25You have to pay attention to how long they were out at room temperature

00:28before you even take them or put them into the refrigerator as a leftover.

00:33To stay out of the danger zone where bacteria multiply fastest,

00:37keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

00:40Use coolers with ice packs and insulated bags for travel.

00:44And when it's time to fire up the grill, safety starts before the burgers go on.

00:49Keeping the grill clean, using soap and water and sanitizer as much as possible,

00:54and then also starting with a clean grill at the beginning of the season is a great tip

00:58Wash your hands before and keep hand sanitizer nearby.

01:03Make sure to keep raw and cooked foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.

01:09And when cooking, always be sure to use a food thermometer.

01:13Using a food thermometer is the only sure way to know

01:15that your foods cooked on the grill have reached a safe internal temperature.

01:19So whether you're tailgating at the game or spending a day at the park,

01:22simple steps can help you avoid food poisoning and make the most of summer fun.

01:28For AccuWeather, I'm Allie Reed.