Barbecue parties are almost a tradition for families in Rancho Santa Fe homes every summer. However, the warm temperature can dampen fun gatherings with an unwanted visitor: bacteria. Bacteria multiply faster in hot weather and may cause food poisoning so you need to make sure that your barbecue is safe and clean.

Here are some tips to prevent bacteria infection in preparing barbecue:

Wash hands. Before handling the food, use soap and water to wash your hands for a good 20 seconds. Make use of paper towels or hand sanitizers if there’s no ready source of clean water near. You should also wash your hands after the meal.

Marinate in the fridge. It’s safer to marinate your barbecue in the fridge than on the counter as the colder temperature limits bacterial growth. If you need to use marinade later on food that’s already cooked, save a portion instead of reusing what was used. If you have to, boil the used marinade first before reapplying to cooked food.

Separate raw food. Raw poultry and meat should be kept separate from prepared or cooked food in the fridge. It’s best to keep them at the bottom of the cooler so their juices won’t spill onto other products. Plates and utensils used to handle raw food should be washed with soap first before being used again.

Cook food thoroughly. Heat destroys harmful bacteria so make sure that food is thoroughly cooked before serving. When grilling, use a food thermometer to measure the heat. You can also partially heat in a microwave to save on grilling time.

Keep cold food cold, and hot food hot. Hot food should at least be 140°F when they’re served. If not immediately eaten, keep them hot by placing near the grill or wrapping well to contain heat. Cold food should be kept below 40°F. Perishable cold food should be stored away from the sun and shouldn’t be left out in the open for more than 2 hours.

Enjoy a safer barbecue in Rancho Santa Fe homes with the proper preparation of food.