Tailgating Health & Safety Tips

One of the greatest dangers at tailgate parties stems from the improper handling of food. By following these tips, you and your family can breathe a lot easier knowing that you'll go home safe, healthy and happy, after a great day at the tailgate party.

1. When transporting food & beverage to your tailgate party, always use 2 plastic coolers; one for food and one for beverages. This way, with people continuously opening the beverage cooler, the food in the other cooler will stay cold and safe.



2. Never place cooked meat, fish or poultry back in the container that the raw meat, fish or poultry was in. Use a clean pair of tongs and a clean plastic plate or platter when removing the cooked items from the grill.



3. When marinating meat, fish or poultry, discard the leftover marinade after you place the items on the grill. Never put this marinade over the cooked item.



4. Bring several of the inexpensive, portable plastic cutting boards to the barbecue. Use one exclusively for the chicken, meat or fish, one for fruit and vegetables, and another for anything else. Wipe them clean with paper towels at the barbecue and toss them in your dishwasher to sanitize when you return home. Wooden cutting boards tend to absorb juices and hold bacteria.



5. Use plastic bowls at the barbecue instead of glass, as well as plastic beverage containers. It is too easy for an accident to take place due to broken glass.



6. Bring a package of sanitary hand wipes and always clean your hands before handling food.



7. Place leftovers that have cooled in a shallow plastic container or in zipper locked plastic bags. Store in the cooler with plenty of ice and transfer to the refrigerator when you arrive home.



8. If you are not sure if food is still safe to eat, revert to the golden rule, "when in doubt, throw it out."



9. Lastly, use common consideration for other people and for your surroundings when tailgating. Always clean up after yourself and discard your trash in a proper receptacle.