Hot Off the Grill: 14 Summer Food Safety Tips
May 22, 2025
With warm weather here to stay and a holiday weekend around the corner, it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy a meal outside with friends and family. But before you lay out your picnic blanket, keep in mind that bacteria also love warm weather.
Don’t let food poisoning spoil your fun – read on for some grilling and summer food safety tips.
Grilling Safety 101
DON’T EVER…
#1 – Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER do this! It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you do light it and open it, a fireball can potentially erupt.
#2 – Leave a grill unattended. A fires doubles in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.
#3 – Overload your grill with food. This especially applies to fatty meats. If too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up, which could light nearby things on fire.
#4 – Use a grill indoors. Grills are a fire hazard, and they also release carbon monoxide. Never use a grill indoors- no matter how small it may be!
Remember the Basics
DO ALWAYS…
#5 – Wash your hands.
No matter where you are preparing food; be sure to wash your hands before and after touching raw meat.
If you’re heading to a park or beach without access to clean running water, be sure to pack some antibacterial gel or hand wipes.
#6 – Keep it Cool!
Don’t let perishable foods (including raw meats, deli meats, salads and dairy products) sit out for more than two hours – and if the temperature is above 90 degrees, reduce that to one hour.
When a refrigerator isn’t available, always store perishables in a cooler along with some ice packs and place the cooler in the shade. Remember that every time you open the cooler, cold air escapes. If you are going to be outside for a while before eating, you may want to pack drinks in one cooler and food in another – and keep the food cooler closed until you are ready to serve the food.
#7 – Separate Raw from Cooked
Bacteria and pathogens found in raw meat are a common cause of food poisoning.
Whenever possible, pack raw burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish or steak in a separate cooler from other prepared foods. If there’s just one cooler for food, wrap the meat well in plastic and place it at the bottom of the cooler so it stays cold and doesn’t leak on anything else. Always bring at least two plates and utensils to use when grilling – one set for the raw items, the other for the cooked.
#8 – Don’t Let Your Eyes Fool You
The best way to know if your meat is done is to use a meat thermometer.
Be sure to bring one along so you don’t have to guess about whether that burger ‘looks’ done. Always cook meats to the temperatures below to ensure safety:
- Poultry: 165 degrees
- Ground beef: 160 degrees
- Solid cuts of meat or fish: 145 degrees
Keep cooked food hot (140 degrees or more) until it is served, and pack up leftovers as soon as possible so nothing goes to waste.
#9 – Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. The farther, the better. Avoid using your grill under wooden overhangs, eaves, or near deck railings. This applies to both charcoal and gas grills.
#10 – Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, it can provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.
#11 – Check for gas leaks. To check, make a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rub it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that’s a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.
#12 – Keep the area around your grill clear. This includes patio decor, children, and pets.
#13 – Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won’t harm your food, so dinner won’t be ruined!
#14 – Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher or don’t know how to use it, keep a few boxes of baking soda nearby in the event of a grease fire. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
Now it’s time to pack up those coolers, load up on water and sunscreen and enjoy the summer sun this holiday weekend!
At MyCare 365, we’re here for you and your family – all summer long, every day! Stop in for routine medical care or urgent needs whenever and wherever you need us. Find a location near you today, and make MyCare, your care. Wishing you a safe and healthy summer ahead!