Summer is finally here—warmer temperatures and better weather mean that more people are finally able to enjoy those favorite outdoor activities, like gardening, games, and traditional summer cookouts. With coronavirus restrictions loosening in some places, more people are able to have friends and loved ones get together this summer than were able to last year, and many people are enjoying time together after many months apart.
The newest kitchen trends emphasize greater access to those outdoor spaces—especially outdoor dining or cooking spaces—making them more important than ever. But no matter the year, those outdoor gatherings can easily turn into something much less pleasant—food poisoning and foodborne illnesses can take the shine off when they strike hours or days later. About one in six Americans gets food poisoning every year—and about 128,000 are hospitalized. Here, we’ll break down what you can do to keep your summer events safe—and how we can help.
What causes foodborne illnesses?
Foodborne illnesses—also called food poisoning or foodborne diseases —are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food. According to the CDC, there are over 250 foodborne diseases—so while food poisoning might always seem to have the same symptoms, it could be caused by any number of agents.
Even with all those possibilities, there are five germs that are the most commonly responsible for symptoms of food poisoning: norovirus, salmonella, clostridium perfringens, campylobacter, and staphylococcus aureus (Staph). While symptoms (like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea) might be very unpleasant, most people recover with fluids, rest, and time.
But that’s not to say that all foodborne illnesses are like that. While rarer, germs like botulism, Listeria, E. coli, or vibrio can have very serious side effects and can lead to hospitalization. With severe symptoms, it’s always a good idea to seek medical attention—especially since food poisoning tends to occur more often and more severely in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.
Why is there more foodborne illness during the summer than in other months?
In short? Because the bacteria that cause illness multiply faster in warm temperatures, and especially in warm and humid environments. With outdoor activities also increasing in the summer, it’s a perfect combination for increased risk of foodborne illness.
And cooking outside is a different beast than cooking in the climate-controlled area of your kitchen. With limited space and probably not such immediate access to a sink or clean utensils, it’s harder to keep things sanitary—which also increases the risk of foodborne illness.
How can you stay safe?
The good news is that there are lots of steps you can take to keep your summertime activities safe and sanitary—and they start before you even step outside. When you’re preparing your cookout food, let meat defrost in the refrigerator, rather than on the counter, to avoid letting it sit at a temperature that promotes the growth of bacteria. Wash any fruits or vegetables separately—away from any meat juices. Keeping things that are served raw away from things that are served hot and cooked is especially important—use separate dishes, utensils, and cutting boards.
And when you’re preparing to cook that barbeque, or those hamburgers, hot dogs, or steaks, keep the cooked and uncooked separate—don’t use the same plate or tongs for the raw meat that you are using for the cooked food. And once you’ve used a marinate for raw meat, dump the leftover liquid rather than reusing it—it’s a prime spot for bacteria to grow.
Use a cooking thermometer to make sure that your food gets to the right temperature—and if it’s not done on the first check, make sure to wash the thermometer. And keep an eye on the outdoor temperatures. When they climb to over 90 degrees, don’t let food sit out for over an hour. So whether you’re hosting a buffet cookout or a lower-key outdoor meal, keep an eye on the time—that might be hard to do, especially if it’s been a while since you last saw loved ones, but will be worth it to help them stay safe!
At the end, especially at the end of a long cookout, it’s probably a good idea to toss leftovers of things like potato or pasta salad. To avoid food waste without risking danger, divide batches of cold foods into two dishes, and leave one in the fridge. When the first is empty or has sat out long enough, you can swap it for the cold (and safe) one.
The steps you can take to stay safe end inside, where they began. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food, and have a space for guests to wash up, too. Wipe down surfaces—including door knobs and faucets that might have been contaminated by raw meats—and wash dishes and utensils thoroughly.
These steps are made much easier by a kitchen and bathroom that look nice and function well. If you have a hard time navigating in your kitchen, or if your bathroom looks dated, worn, and not fit for company—or if damage to your fixtures makes them hard to clean and sanitize—you could run into problems. Read on to see how we can help!
Where can I find counter and sink reglazing near me?
Ready to get started with your summer? Kitchen trends come and go, but having that well-functioning kitchen and bathroom is always in style—and can make it easier to prepare and store food safely, and for you and guests to wash up. At The Tub Pros, we provide counter, tub, and sink refinishing Memphis residents—and residents of the Greater Memphis area—count on.
Check out our full list of services—we can help with a variety of sink and countertop materials, including granite countertops, and our variety of colors allow you to fully customize your space. When you’re ready to get started on your project, give us a call at 901-871-8827 or contact us online.
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