Many of us have either hosted or been invited to several barbecues, cookouts or picnics already this summer, and some of you may have even thought that you may have come down with an upset stomach, and you think it may have been from improper food handling and storage practices.

“It must have been something I ate,” is often the explanation people give when suffering from a severe bout of diarrhea or some other unwelcome gastrointestinal upset. The truth is that what we eat can very well be the vehicle for food-borne illnesses.

Warm, lazy, summer days are ideal for a picnic. Unfortunately they’re also ideal for bacteria to multiply very rapidly on certain foods. Usually you don’t even know the bacteria are present: you can’t see, smell, or taste them.

Whether you’re planning a family picnic, neighborhood barbecue or a get-together by the poolside, using the following warm weather food safety tips will help prevent food-borne illnesses:

• Put ice on top, with foods to be kept coldest on the bottom.
• Pack right from the refrigerator. Keep food cold or frozen before putting it in the cooler.
• Wrap all foods separately in plastic. Don’t place foods directly on ice that’s not of drinking water quality.
• Keep raw meat, poultry or fish well wrapped so that drippings don’t contaminate other foods.
• Don’t put your cooler in a hot trunk. Keep it in the shade at your picnic or campsite. Keep the lid on.
• Keep food and utensils covered until serving time. Flies, and other insects and household pets can carry Salmonella.
• Keep hot foods hot. Use a thermos or insulated dish for serving.
• Wash your hands. Take along disposable hand towels to use before and after working with foods.
• Thoroughly cook all raw meat, poultry and fish. The center of hamburger patties should not be pink, the juices should run clear
• Use a clean plate. Don’t put cooked foods on the same plate that held raw meat or poultry.
• Remember the two hour rule. Return leftovers to your cooler as quickly as possible. Two hours is the maximum time food should be left unrefrigerated. If your ice has melted, discard perishable leftovers.

By following the above safety tips, every picnic and barbecue will be a safe and enjoyable time.