Safe Tailgating.

Safe Tailgating.
There is a reason that at dinner time Dad was allowed to barbecue the meat, but mom did everything else: Safety.
Tailgating, in the end is like day camping, and the biggest risk isn’t burnt fingers, but bacteria. Slaws or cream based dishes can get warm, and Hot dished can get cold. Either situation can leave you watching the game on a TV in the local emergency room.
Here are a few tips to keep you safer when you tailgate.
• Keep foods hot (above 140°F) and cold (below 40°F), the only things that should be at room temperature are non perishables like Chips or Pretzels, and even those should be sealed.
• No Marinades. The are bacteria petri dishes. Be a man, bring a SEALED bottle of barbecue sauce.
• Raw meat? Actually kind of dangerous. A good idea is to use separate coolers when you pack raw meat and ready-to-eat foods. Raw meat packages should placed in plastic ziplock bags for added safety.
• Don't put ANYTHING on a plate where raw meat has been placed. Seems inconvenient, I know, but then so is a bout of Diarheeah when you’re 467 steps from the nearest bathroom.
• Paper towels and napkins. LOTS.
• Refrigerate. Food left outside for more than an hour should be thrown away. In doubt? Toss it out!

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ASafe Tailgating.
There is a reason that at dinner time Dad was allowed to barbecue the meat, but mom did everything else: Safety.
Tailgating, in the end is like day camping, and the biggest risk isn’t burnt fingers, but bacteria. Slaws or cream based dishes can get warm, and Hot dished can get cold. Either situation can leave you watching the game on a TV in the local emergency room.
Here are a few tips to keep you safer when you tailgate.
• Keep foods hot (above 140°F) and cold (below 40°F), the only things that should be at room temperature are non perishables like Chips or Pretzels, and even those should be sealed.
• No Marinades. The are bacteria petri dishes. Be a man, bring a SEALED bottle of barbecue sauce.
• Raw meat? Actually kind of dangerous. A good idea is to use separate coolers when you pack raw meat and ready-to-eat foods. Raw meat packages should placed in plastic ziplock bags for added safety.
• Don't put ANYTHING on a plate where raw meat has been placed. Seems inconvenient, I know, but then so is a bout of Diarheeah when you’re 467 steps from the nearest bathroom.
• Paper towels and napkins. LOTS.
• Refrigerate. Food left outside for more than an hour should be thrown away. In doubt? Toss it out!