Summer Food and Cooking Safety

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can catch fire is a hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries.

One in three Americans admit to grilling while intoxicated, making it four times more likely to end up in a grilling accident.

Who says you can’t enjoy some great grilling because you live in an apartment? Always check with your apartment regulations before you grill.

The electric grill is one of the popular ways to indoor grill, with temperature control options and no open flames. Because you’re indoors doesn’t mean you can’t recreate that outdoor grill taste.

Keep food cold when you carry it to another location. Use an insulated cooler with enough ice or ice packs to keep the food at 40°F or below. Immediately before leaving home, pack food from the refrigerator into the cooler. Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car.

Cook food to a safe minimal internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. 

Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. As the weather heats, familiarize yourself with food safety tips like how to prevent foodborne illness, so you and your family can safely enjoy eating outdoors.

We love an outdoor party in the summer time. But we don’t want to be bombarded by those pesky flies! If you choose your lights and smells strategically, you are already miles ahead when it comes to keeping flies at a distance.

Remember, fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burns and eye injuries. You can help us prevent firework-related injuries and deaths by exploring the firework safety information below.

Many animals become frightened by the sudden bright flash of light and loud sounds. These noises can lead to anxiety, uncontrollable shaking, and loss of appetite. Make it less scary for them with the information below.

Summer often brings bright and booming fireworks shows, especially on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July. Yet as beautiful as these light displays are, they can be triggering for people with  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).