Food safety is commonly equated to restaurants and health codes. And while this is an important aspect of food safety, we don't often think about our own household when it comes to the rules of food preparation. As spring blooms and summer approaches, we are more likely to cook at home and outside — and with that comes an increased risk of foodborne illness. Don't let this intimidate you from hosting your own potluck; let Kratos Gas & Power enlighten you on simple food safety tips!

Proper Storage

Before cooking even begins, be sure that you are storing your food correctly. When buying frozen foods — think burgers or veggies — they need to stay frozen. As soon as you arrive home from the grocery store, immediately place them in the freezer. If items have defrosted for whatever reason, throw them away. While storing your food, be sure to keep meat products at the very bottom of your refrigerator in their own sealed section. This prevents runoff from contaminating other areas of your fridge.

Cleaning

Be sure to thoroughly clean fruits and vegetables before preparing food. You can easily do this by preparing a vinegar and water bath for your produce — use one part white vinegar and four parts water, submerge for five minutes, then rinse with tap water, let dry, and you are ready to use them!

It is not recommended to wash meat, as bacteria will die while cooking. Washing meat actually increases the risk of contamination, since the raw meat will have more contact with surfaces.

Cook Times

Each category of meat has a different internal temperature it needs to reach to be safe. A digital thermometer will come in handy and take out the guesswork during your grill-out months. Keep a handy cook temperature guide nearby so you always know when your food is ready.

Outdoor Dining

While having potlucks and grill-outs, you should be aware of each dish's food safety requirements. Cold food should remain cold by sitting on top of ice or in double-walled containers — you have around 4 hours to keep foods like pasta salad and potato salad fresh. Similarly, hot food needs to stay hot, and gas canisters or crock pots can help accomplish this.

Be sure to cover food when it is not being eaten to eliminate any insect contamination. Flies are everywhere and they are quick to seek out a source of food.

Food safety keeps your barbecue free from any potential problems and keeps your summer months healthy. Make sure that you follow these simple steps to keep your family safe. Keep checking back to the Kratos Gas & Power blog for more lifestyle tips.