Health Dept. Offers Tips for a Safe BBQ Season

With plenty of Fourth of July barbecues scheduled for tomorrow, the Westchester County Department of Health is offering up guidelines to help make the outdoor cooking season enjoyable...and disease free.

According to a statement from the county, following these tips can prevent West Nile Virus, salmonella or E.coli from infiltrating your backyard fun this summer.

• Spray insect repellent containing DEET on your clothes and exposed skin to avoid mosquito bites.
• Empty out standing water from all outdoor containers to keep mosquitoes from breeding.
• Avoid attracting animals–collect and dispose of food and litter.
• Thaw meat and poultry slowly in the refrigerator or under cold running water before cooking.
• Harmful bacteria usually grow in the "danger zone" between 40° and 140° F, so marinate and hold meat and poultry in the refrigerator until you are ready to grill it.
• Transport food inside a cooler filled with ice to keep it at 40°F or below. Keep the cooler out of the direct sun and avoid opening the lid too often. Keep beverages in a separate cooler.
• Cook your food to the right temperature–that’s 160°F for ground beef and pork and 165°F for chicken and hot dogs. Always use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal temperature.
• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Discard any food left out for more than two hours after cooking, or one hour if it more than 90°F outside.
• Don’t cross-contaminate: don’t reuse marinades on cooked food unless you boil them first and don’t use the same plate, cutting board and utensils for cooked food that you used for raw meat.
• Wash hands, surfaces and utensils frequently with soap and water or antiseptic wipes.

For more information, call the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visithealth.westchestergov.com.

What's your favorite barbecue recipe?