Happy National Grilling Month! This wonderful season falls in the hottest part of the year, where extreme temperatures cause bacteria in food to grow faster than any other season. Help keep your friends and family stay safe and prevent sickness from foodborne illnesses with these easy grilling safety tips.

Keep it Clean
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, both before and immediately after handling food. All surfaces and utensils also need to be washed before and after coming into contact – especially with raw meat – to reduce the spread of bacteria and cross-contamination with other foods.

Separation is Key
Speaking of cross-contamination, keep raw meat and any utensils it has encountered separate from other food products and supplies until the meat has been properly cooked. Cooked meat should be handled with new, clean utensils and placed on a clean surface when removed from the grill. It is only after this point that it is safe to touch or be mixed with other foods.

The Thermometer is your Best Friend
Use a food thermometer to ensure that all food is cooked to the correct internal temperature. Using your eyes to judge color and consistency won’t cut it, and could lead to your guests becoming sick. Use the temperature guide below to determine when your meat has reached the correct internal temperature to be safely enjoyed:

• Pork­ – 145ºF
• Steak ­– 145ºF
• Fish – 145ºF
• Ground Meat – 165ºF
• Poultry – 165ºF

The Aftermath
When done, cover and refrigerate your leftovers properly, as germs can begin to grown on food within 1-2 hours from cooking. Leftovers should be consumed or discarded within 4 days of storing to avoid further bacteria growth and chance of illness. Be sure to also thoroughly clean all supplies, including the grill, and disinfect all surfaces to maintain a clean and sanitary environment until your next grill out session!

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Keep these important safety tips in mind every time your fire up the grill and prep your food for a fun and healthy summer! Don’t forget to save us a plate, we like our steak medium-rare.