ERIE, Pa., May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The arrival of Memorial Day means the start of the summer cookout season. Of course, if you've hosted a party lately, you know it's not quite that easy. There's a lot of hard work involved – especially when it comes to preparing food. So before you fire up the grill, Erie Insurance has some helpful tips to keep you – and your guests – happy and healthy during your picnic or barbecue.
- Prepare and Clean Your Area: Before preparing food, it's important to wash your hands, utensils and prep surfaces with soap and water. This reduces the risk of contaminating your food with germs that could cause food poisoning.
- Rinse Fruits and Vegetables: Avoid the temptation to just cut and serve your fresh fruits and vegetables. You never know what germs they could have picked up on their journey from the farm to your kitchen – so start by rinsing them under running water.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Eggs, raw meat, poultry and seafood can be breeding grounds for foodborne bacteria. When preparing these foods, be sure to use separate knives, plates and cutting boards. You should also keep them separated from other foods in your refrigerator.
- Cooking at the Right Temperature: When cooking meat, you can't tell if it's done by looking at color and texture alone. Instead, use a food thermometer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are the safe minimum internal temperatures your foods need to reach to destroy harmful bacteria:
- 145°F for whole cuts of beef, pork, veal, and lamb.
- 160°F for ground meats, such as beef and pork.
- 165°F for all poultry, including ground chicken and turkey.
- 145°F for fish
For more top tips, check out this guide to safe grilling. While you're in party-planning mode, don't forget to check your homeowners insurance to ensure you're covered in case of the unexpected.
If you have questions, you can always contact an Erie Insurance agent to learn more and get a free quote.
Erie Insurance Group
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 9th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company.
News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.
SOURCE Erie Insurance